Argentina prepares voluntary retirement plan for public employees

The Argentine government is preparing a decree to implement a new voluntary retirement plan for permanent civil servants within the centralized national public administration and decentralized agencies. The measure, developed by the Ministry of Deregulation and State Transformation led by Federico Sturzenegger, is expected to be officially announced in the coming days, with registration beginning in November.

The program targets three specific groups: employees who have reached retirement age and have the necessary contributions; those who have reached retirement age but need more years of contributions; and younger employees who wish to leave public service voluntarily. Compensation amounts will vary based on the individual's specific situation.

This initiative continues the administration's efforts to reduce the state workforce. Government estimates indicate that between November 2023 and August 2026, the total workforce—including public administration and state-owned companies—decreased by 74,332 people, a 21.6% reduction. This downsizing has reportedly resulted in savings exceeding USD 2.5 billion. The government anticipates at least 1,000 participants in the upcoming call for applications.