Mexican Senate approves ISSSTE reform for concubinage widowhood pensions

The Social Security Commission of the Mexican Senate has unanimously approved a draft reform to the Law of the Institute for Social Security and Services for State Workers (ISSSTE). The reform aims to guarantee access to widowhood pensions for partners in concubinage.

The proposal seeks to eliminate existing provisions that prevent concubines from accessing these benefits in cases where a surviving spouse exists, if the concubine is married, or if there are multiple concubines. Alfonso Cepeda Salas, president of the commission, noted that the Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation (SCJN) had previously declared such restrictions unconstitutional due to violations of equality and non-discrimination principles.

The draft also establishes rules for the concurrent distribution of benefits. If two or more people prove their right to the pension, the benefit will be distributed in equal parts among them until a final judicial resolution determines the rightful recipient. Once a firm judicial ruling is issued, the Institute will suspend payments to the initially accredited individuals without requiring them to return previously received funds.