First law: 1943.

Current law: 1995 (Social Security Law of 19 December), implemented in 1997.

Type of program: Social insurance system.

All private-sector employees; members of cooperatives; and certain members of the federal executive.

Voluntary coverage for public-sector employees who are not covered under other schemes; self-employed persons; household workers (ineligible for cash benefits); and employers.

Insured person: None.

Self-employed person: None.

Employer: The total cost; contributions of 0.5% to 15% of payroll according to the assessed degree of risk.

The minimum earnings used to calculate contributions are the legal monthly minimum wage in the insured's geographic area.

The maximum earnings used to calculate contributions are 25 times the legal monthly minimum wage in Mexico City.

The legal daily minimum wage in Mexico City is 59.82 pesos.

Government: None.

Work injury benefits: There is no minimum qualifying period. Accidents that occur while commuting to and from work are covered.

Temporary disability benefit: 100% of the insured's covered monthly earnings is paid from the first day of disability until the insured is certified with a permanent disability (which should take place within 52 weeks).

Permanent disability pension: For a total (100%) disability, 70% of the insured's earnings before the disability began is paid.

Partial disability: With an assessed degree of disability greater than 50%, a percentage of the full pension is paid according to the assessed degree of disability. If the assessed degree of disability is 26% to 50%, a percentage of the full pension is paid according to the assessed degree of disability or a lump sum of five years of pension is paid. If the assessed degree of disability is 25% or less, a lump sum of five years of pension is paid.

Christmas bonus: A supplement of 15 days of pension is paid if the assessed degree of disability is greater than 50%.

An initial pension is paid for two years; thereafter, must be certified with a permanent disability.

Benefit adjustment: Benefits are adjusted annually in February according to changes in the price index.

Medical benefits: Benefits include preventive, general, surgical, and hospital care; medicine; rehabilitation; transport; appliances; and orthopedics.

Survivor pension: 40% of the deceased's permanent disability pension is paid to a widow(er) or partner.

The pension ceases if the widow(er) or partner remarries or cohabits with a new partner, and a lump sum is paid.

Remarriage settlement: A lump sum of three years of pension is paid.

Orphan's pension: 20% of the deceased's pension is paid for each orphan younger than age 16 (age 25 if a student, no limit if disabled); 30% for a full orphan. When eligibility ceases, orphans receive a final benefit of three months of the deceased's pension.

Other eligible survivors: If there is no widow(er) or orphan 20% of the deceased's pension is paid to each eligible mother or father.

The amount paid may be recalculated if the number of eligible survivors changes.

Christmas bonus: A supplement of 15 days of pension is paid.

Benefits may be payable abroad; if leaving Mexico permanently, the pensioner may request a lump sum of two years of pension.

Funeral grant: A lump sum of two months of the legal minimum wage in Mexico City is paid.

The legal daily minimum wage in Mexico City is 59.82 pesos.

Benefit adjustment: Benefits are adjusted annually in February according to changes in the price index.

Mexican Social Security Institute (http://www.imss.gob.mx), managed by a general assembly, technical council, oversight commission, and director general, administers the program through regional and local boards.

Mexican Social Security Institute
Av. Paseo de la Reforma 476,
Col. Juárez,
C.P. 6600, D.F.,
México

Tel.: +(5255) 52 38 27 00
Fax: +(5255) 52 38 27 00