Argentina retirees face pension shortfall as Chile launches new pension bonus

In Argentina, more than four million retirees receive a pension of about 470,000 pesos (including a frozen 70,000‑peso bonus), which covers only 25%‑30% of a basic basket of goods. Many rely on community kitchens, informal work, or family aid, while housing costs in major cities consume half of their income. Health care delays and reduced medication increase risks of heart attacks and strokes, and the public health system (PAMI) is criticized for long wait times. Legislative attempts to adjust pensions and the bonus were vetoed by the executive, and lawsuits are pending.

In Chile, the government introduced the "Bono por Años Cotizados," an automatic winter benefit that can add up to 2.5 UF (about 100,000 pesos) per month to the pensions of seniors over 65 who meet contribution thresholds. The amount rises with years of contributions, ranging from 0.1 UF for a single year to the maximum for 25 years of contributions, and is intended to help cover higher winter expenses such as heating and medication.