Milei’s mega DNU does not mention the retirement issue, except in a marginal article. And for now the ANSeS No reinforcement or bonus for January salaries has been loaded into the system.
According to the pension agency’s calendar for next month, payment will begin on Tuesday, January 2 with non-contributory pensions and the following week with minimum wage pensions.
However, if the decree provides for an increase or the provision of a bonus, ANSeS could make a payment complementary, for example, to pay on dates other than the monthly calendar.
The lack of announcements regarding the bonus is generating a lot of concern among pensioners on minimum wages, but also among those who earn above the minimum. There is also concern about the payment of final sentences in favor of pensioners who number over 80 thousand.
The total number of pensioners and retirees amounts to more than 7.6 million people. 40% have assets equal to or less than a minimum asset, 23% have between one and two minimum assets and the remaining 37% have assets equal to or greater than two minimum assets.
Meanwhile, pensions and pensions have been declining for at least 8 years. And it became accentuated in 2023, with the inflationary peak.
A year ago, the minimum wage was $50,124 plus a $10,000 bonus ($60,124 total), and this December that sector earned a minimum of $105,713 + $55,000 ($160,713). This is an increase of 167.3%, while annual inflation is expected to be around 200%. The minimum overall income would be 32.7 points lower than the price increase.
If the $55,000 bail payment is maintained, Total income would remain at $160,713 both in January and February, when in those 3 months inflation could reach 80% or more, while the decline in the purchasing power of the minimum pension could be around 30% in just three months.
This means that if the bonus were not maintained, minimum wage pensioners would receive less in January than in December. And if the inflation bonus is maintained, it should rise to at least $70,000 in January and nearly $90,000 in February and implement some emergency increases for those who don’t collect bonuses.
More catastrophic than the original assets is the situation of those who have not collected the bonuses, which this year had an increase of 110.9% in the face of inflation of 200%. It represents a 90 point drop in just 12 months. If we add inflation in January and February, the drop could be around 50%.
These losses add to those of recent years with drops in December of 40% for those who did not receive bonuses and of over 10% for those who received bonuses.
Another unknown is what will happen with the payments of final judgments favorable to pensioners which the pension law requires to be paid within 120 days. That deadline has not been met for many years and now it is in doubt what budget item Milei will assign to him for 2024.
Source: Clarin
