Argentina

Old Age, Disability, and Survivors

Regulatory Framework

First laws: 1904 to 1958 (various laws on special categories), 1944 (commerce), 1946 (industry), and 1954 (rural workers).

Current laws: 1998 (small contributors), implemented in 1999, with 2004 amendment; 1999 (household workers), implemented in 2000; 2004 (early retirement), implemented in 2005; 2008 (pensions), implemented in 2009; 2008 (benefit adjustment), implemented in 2009; and 13 national social assistance laws from 1952 to 1994.

Type of program: Social insurance and social assistance system.

Note: Between 1994 and 2008, insured persons could choose between the social insurance or individual accounts systems. As of January 2009, the individual accounts system no longer exists. All insured persons enrolled in this system at the end 2008 were transferred to the social insurance system. Balances in individual accounts were credited to the social insurance system.

Coverage

Social insurance: Employed and self-employed persons aged 18 and older; household workers; and casual workers with declared earnings no greater than 12,000 pesos in the previous year.

Voluntary coverage for cooperative members, trade union officials, clergy, persons insured under professional provincial systems, and housewives.

Exclusions: Armed forces, security forces, and police force personnel; and technical workers hired abroad who work in Argentina for less than 2 years and are insured in another country.

Special systems for armed forces, security forces, and police force personnel; civil servants of some provinces and municipalities; and certain other groups including teachers, foreign ministry employees, investigators, and judicial authorities.

Social assistance: Needy elderly and persons with disabilities.

Source of Funds

Insured person

Social insurance: 11% of covered earnings. The contribution also finances disability and survivor benefits.

Household workers must contribute between 20 pesos and 81 pesos a month, according to the number of hours worked.

The minimum monthly earnings for contributions purposes are 268 pesos.

The maximum monthly earnings for contributions purposes are 8,711 pesos.

Contributions are paid monthly. Additionally, contributions are paid on the annual 13th month of salary, which is paid in two halves in the months of June and December.

Social assistance: None.

Self-employed person

Social insurance: Contributions vary according to activity and gross earnings.

Small contributors, including persons who sell goods, rent goods, provide services, or who are members of workers' cooperatives or certain enterprises specified by law with less than three workers, pay a monthly amount between 114 pesos and 648 pesos (according to annual declared earnings). The contribution includes value-added taxes and income taxes, and also finances sickness benefits.

Contributions are paid monthly except for casual workers who contribute 5% of declared earnings.

Social assistance: None.

Employer

Social insurance: 10.17% or 12.71% of gross payroll, according to the type of enterprise (16% for public-sector employers). Additional contributions are made on behalf of workers in hazardous or unhealthy occupations.

The minimum monthly earnings for contributions purposes are 268 pesos.

There are no maximum earnings for contributions purposes.

Employers of household workers contribute a monthly lump sum between 20 pesos and 81 pesos, according to the number of hours worked.

Contributions are paid monthly. Additionally, contributions are paid on the annual 13th month of salary, which is paid in two halves in the months of June and December.

Social assistance: None.

Government

Social insurance: Contributes through general revenue, investment income, and certain earmarked taxes for the cost of social insurance pensions; and contributes to the cost of some disability and survivor pensions paid under the former the individual accounts system.

Social assistance: The total cost.

Qualifying Conditions

Old-age pension

Basic old-age pension (social insurance): Age 65 (men) or age 60 (women) with at least 30 years of contributions and service, up to 45 years. (To meet the contribution qualifying condition, the insured may substitute 2 years of age after the retirement age for 1 year of contributions.)

The retirement age and contribution qualifying conditions are reduced up to 10 years for hazardous or unhealthy occupations.

Compensatory pension (social insurance): Age 65 (men) or age 60 (women) with at least 30 years of contributions and service. The benefit is paid only if the insured has credited contributions to the social insurance system before June 1994.

Additional pension (social insurance): Age 65 (men) or age 60 (women) with at least 30 years of contributions and service. The additional pension is paid if the insured has credited contributions to the social insurance system since June 1994.

Advanced-age old-age pension (social insurance): Aged 70 or older (men and women) with at least 10 years of service with contributions paid while employed or self-employed, including at least 5 of the last 8 years before leaving employment. A self-employed person must have been insured for at least 5 years.

Noncontributory old-age pension (social assistance): Needy persons aged 70 or older residing in Argentina.

Disability pension

Disability pension (social insurance): Paid for the loss of at least 66% of earning capacity. The insured must be younger than the normal retirement age, have paid contributions on a regular or nonregular basis, and not be receiving early retirement benefits.

Regular contributors must meet the minimum contribution qualifying condition for the basic old-age pension or have paid 30 months of contributions in the last 36 months before the disability began.

Nonregular contributors must meet 50% of the minimum contribution qualifying condition for the basic old-age pension, have paid 12 months of contributions in the 60 months before the disability began, or have paid 18 months of contributions in the 36 months before the disability began.

District medical commissions assess the degree of disability. Three years after the initial assessment, the commission can certify permanent disability, extend the disability certification for 2 years, or determine that the person no longer has a disability.

Advanced-age disability pension (social insurance): The insured must be assessed with a loss of at least 66% of earning capacity and be aged 65 or older (men and women).

Noncontributory disability pension (social assistance): Paid to needy, disabled persons residing in Argentina.

Survivor pension

Survivor pension (social insurance): The deceased was a pensioner or had paid contributions on a regular or nonregular basis.

Regular contributors must have met the minimum contribution qualifying condition for the basic old-age pension or have paid at least 30 months of contributions in the last 36 months before death.

Nonregular contributors must meet 50% of the minimum contribution qualifying condition for the basic old-age pension, have paid at least 12 months of contributions in the last 60 months before death, or have paid at least 18 months of contributions in the last 36 months before death.

Eligible survivors include a widow(er) or partner who lived with the deceased for at least 5 years (2 years if they had children); an unmarried child younger than age 18 who is not receiving benefits; a widowed daughter younger than age 18 who is not receiving benefits; and a child with a disability (no age limit) who was dependent on the deceased.

Old-Age Benefits

Old-age pension

Basic old-age pension: The monthly pension is 326 pesos.

Compensatory pension: The monthly pension is 1.5% of the insured's average adjusted monthly earnings in the last 10 years (weighted average adjusted amounts for all periods for self-employed persons) with contributions paid before July 1994.

Additional pension: The monthly pension is 1.5% of the insured's average adjusted monthly earnings in the last 10 years (weighted average adjusted amounts for all periods for self-employed persons) with contributions paid after July 1994.

Advanced-age old-age pension: The monthly pension is 70% of the basic old-age pension, plus the compensatory pension, and the additional pension.

The minimum monthly advanced-age old-age pension is 770 pesos.

The combined minimum monthly old-age pension (the sum of all contributory pensions) is 770 pesos.

The maximum monthly old-age pension (the sum of the basic and social insurance pensions) is 5,646 pesos.

Pensions are payable abroad under bilateral or multilateral agreement.

Schedule of payments: Pensions are paid monthly, with a 13th payment equal to the regular monthly payment divided in half and paid in June and December.

Benefit adjustment: Benefits are adjusted automatically in March and September based on changes in tax revenue, wage indexes, and revenue of the National Social Security Administration.

Noncontributory old-age pension (social assistance): The monthly pension is 539 pesos (70% of the minimum pension of 770 pesos). Additional benefits may be paid for dependents under Family Allowances, below.

Social assistance pensions are not payable abroad.

Schedule of payments: The noncontributory pension is paid monthly, with a 13th payment equal to the regular monthly payment divided in half and paid in June and December.

Benefit adjustment: Benefits are adjusted when the minimum pension is adjusted.

Permanent Disability Benefits

Disability pension

Disability pension: The pension is 70% of the insured's average salary (regular contributor) or 50% of the insured's average salary (nonregular contributor) in the 5 years before the disability began.

The minimum monthly disability pension is 770 pesos.

The maximum monthly disability pension is 5,646 pesos.

The pension is payable abroad under bilateral or multilateral agreement.

Schedule of payments: The disability pension is paid monthly, with a 13th payment equal to the regular monthly payment divided in half and paid in June and December.

Advanced-age disability pension: The monthly pension is 70% of the basic old-age pension, plus the insured's compensatory old-age pension and the additional old-age pension.

The minimum monthly advanced-age disability pension is 770 pesos.

The maximum monthly advanced-age disability pension is 5,646 pesos.

The pension is payable abroad under bilateral or multilateral agreement.

Schedule of payments: The advanced-age disability pension is paid monthly, with a 13th payment equal to the regular monthly payment divided in half and paid in June and December.

Benefit adjustment: Benefits are adjusted automatically in March and September based on changes in tax revenue, wage indexes, and revenue of the National Social Security Administration.

Noncontributory disability pension (social assistance): The monthly pension is 539 pesos (70% of the minimum pension of 770 pesos). Additional benefits may be paid for dependents under Family Allowances, below.

The noncontributory disability pension is not payable abroad.

Benefit adjustment: Benefits are adjusted when the minimum pension is adjusted.

Survivor Benefits

Survivor pension

Survivor pension: A widow(er) or partner without dependents receives 70% of the reference payment or the pension the deceased received; a widow(er) or partner with children receives 50%.

The reference payment is 70% of the deceased's average earnings (regular contributor) or 50% of the deceased's average earnings (nonregular contributor) in the 5 years before death.

The minimum monthly survivor pension is 770 pesos.

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

Orphan's pension: Each eligible child receives 20% of the deceased's pension or reference payment. In the absence of an eligible widow(er) or partner, the survivor pension is also split equally among the surviving children.

The reference payment is 70% of the deceased's average salary (regular contributor) or 50% of the deceased's average salary (nonregular contributor) during the 5 years before death.

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

All survivor benefits combined must not exceed 100% of the reference payment or the deceased's pension.

Schedule of payments: Pensions are paid monthly, with a 13th payment equal to the regular monthly payment divided in half and paid in June and December.

Benefit adjustment: Benefits are adjusted automatically in March and September based on changes in tax revenue, wage indexes, and revenue of the National Social Security Administration.

Funeral grant (social insurance): A lump sum of 1,000 pesos is paid to survivors.

Administrative Organization

Secretariat for Social Security (http://www.seguridadsocial.gov.ar) is responsible for policy development.

National Social Security Administration (http://www.anses.gov.ar) supervises and administers the social insurance system.

National Pension Commission (http://www.desarrollosocial.gov.ar) administers the social assistance pension program.

Sickness and Maternity

Regulatory Framework

First laws: 1934 (maternity) and 1944 (sickness).

Current laws: 1996 (family allowances); 1988 (health institutions), implemented in 1989; 1988 (health insurance), implemented in 1989; and 2000 (health institutions deregulation), implemented in 2001.

Type of program: Social insurance (medical benefits), employer-liability (cash sickness benefits), and employment-related (maternity benefits) system.

Coverage

Cash sickness benefits: No statutory benefits are provided. (Under employment law, the employer is required to pay monthly cash sickness benefits to employees.)

Cash maternity benefits: Employed women, including temporary workers.

Exclusions: Self-employed persons.

Medical benefits: Employed persons, self-employed persons (small contributors), unemployed persons, pensioners, and household workers.

Small contributors include persons who sell goods, rent goods, provide services, or who are members of workers' cooperatives or certain enterprises specified by law with less than three workers.

Voluntary coverage for other persons.

Exclusions: Military police personnel, provincial and municipal public-sector employees, and beneficiaries of noncontributory or social assistance benefits.

Source of Funds

Insured person

Cash sickness benefits: None.

Cash maternity benefits: None.

Medical benefits: 6% of covered earnings plus 1.5% of covered earnings for each eligible dependent other than the spouse or children. Pensioners contribute 3% of the pension.

The minimum monthly earnings for contribution calculation purposes are 268 pesos.

The maximum monthly earnings for contribution calculation purposes are 8,711 pesos.

Self-employed person

Cash sickness benefits: None.

Cash maternity benefits: Not applicable.

Medical benefits: Small contributors and household workers pay a monthly lump sum of 46.75 pesos plus 39 pesos for each additional family member covered.

Small contributors include persons who sell goods, rent goods, provide services, or who are members of workers' cooperatives or certain enterprises specified by law with less than three workers.

Employer

Cash sickness benefits: The total cost.

Cash maternity benefits: See source of funds under Family Allowances, below.

Medical benefits: The average contribution is 7.2% of gross payroll (including 1.5% or 1.62% of gross payroll for retired persons who return to work, according to the type of enterprise).

The minimum monthly earnings for contribution calculation purposes are 268 pesos.

There are no maximum earnings for contribution calculation purposes.

Government

Cash sickness benefits: None.

Cash maternity benefits: See source of funds under Family Allowances, below.

Medical benefits: Provides subsidies for persons who would not otherwise qualify.

Qualifying Conditions

Cash sickness benefits: No statutory benefits are provided. (Under employment law, the employer is required to pay monthly cash sickness benefits to employees. The duration of benefits depends on the length of the employment period.)

Cash maternity benefits: The insured must have at least 3 months of continuous employment before the expected date of childbirth; temporary workers must be in employment immediately before the start of the maternity leave period.

Medical benefits: The insured must be currently employed or a pensioner. Coverage may be extended for 3 months if the insured has more than 3 months of continuous service.

Eligible dependents include a spouse or cohabiting partner and unmarried children younger than age 21 (up to age 25 if a student, no limit if disabled and dependent).

Other dependents are eligible only with the payment of additional contributions.

Sickness and Maternity Benefits

Sickness benefit: Under employment law, employers are required to provide 100% of salary for up to 3 months to employees with less than 5 years of service; up to 6 months with at least 5 years of service. The maximum duration of cash benefits is doubled for workers with dependents.

Maternity benefit: The benefit is 3 months of average gross earnings before the maternity leave period and is paid for 45 days before and 45 days after the expected date of childbirth; the benefit is extended for 6 months if the child is diagnosed with Down syndrome.

The benefit is also paid if the pregnancy ends after at least 180 days of gestation or if the child is stillborn.

Workers' Medical Benefits

Benefits include medical, hospital, dental, and palliative care; rehabilitation; prostheses; and transportation. Benefits are defined by a schedule in law issued by the Ministry of Health and Environment.

There is no limit to duration, except in the event of hospitalization for psychiatric treatment.

Pharmaceutical products for chronic diseases are either free or require a 30% copayment; 60% for other diseases.

Pharmaceutical products are free during pregnancy, childbirth, and postnatal care; for children until age 1; and for hospitalization.

Cost sharing: Up to 4 pesos for an outpatient visit, up to 5 pesos for medical tests, and up to 7 pesos for outpatient dental treatment.

There is no cost sharing for pregnancy, childbirth, or postnatal care; for children up to age 1; for hospitalization; and for the treatment of tumors.

Dependents' Medical Benefits

Benefits include medical, hospital, dental, and palliative care; rehabilitation; prostheses; and transportation. Benefits are defined by a schedule in law issued by the Ministry of Health and Environment.

There is no limit to duration, except in cases of hospitalization for psychiatric treatment.

Pharmaceutical products for chronic diseases are either free or require a 30% copayment; 60% for other diseases.

Pharmaceutical products are free during pregnancy, childbirth, and postnatal care; for children until age 1; and for hospitalization.

Cost sharing: Up to 4 pesos for an outpatient visit, up to 5 pesos for medical tests, and up to 7 pesos for outpatient dental treatment.

There is no cost sharing for pregnancy, childbirth, or postnatal care; for children up to age 1; for hospitalization; and for the treatment of tumors.

Administrative Organization

Ministry of Health (http://www.msal.gov.ar) provides general supervision.

Superintendent of Health Services (http://www.sssalud.gov.ar) controls, coordinates, and administers the program.

Authorized health insurance institutions provide medical services. Insured persons are free to choose between health insurance institutions.

Work Injury

Regulatory Framework

First law: 1915.

Current law: 1995 (work injury), implemented in 1996.

Type of program: Employer-liability system.

Note: The employer and public institutions (other than national institutions), may self-insure if solvency requirements are met and medical care services can be guaranteed. If the employer does not meet both conditions, mandatory insurance must be purchased from a work injury insurer (ART).

Coverage

Private- and public-sector employees (including provinces and municipalities).

Exclusions: Self-employed persons.

Source of Funds

Insured person: None.

Self-employed person: Not applicable.

Employer: The total cost is met through a work injury insurer (ART) or through self-insurance.

Government: None; contributes as an employer.

Qualifying Conditions

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

Temporary Disability Benefits

The monthly benefit is equal to the insured's average earnings in the 12 months before the disability began and is paid from the day after the disability began. The employer pays the benefit for the first 10 days, with the remaining period covered by the work injury insurer (ART). The benefit is paid until recovery or certification of permanent disability.

The minimum monthly earnings for benefit calculation purposes are 268 pesos.

The maximum monthly earnings for benefit calculation purposes are 8,711 pesos.

The disability is presumed to be permanent if it continues beyond a year.

A medical commission assesses the degree of disability.

Permanent Disability Benefits

Permanent disability benefit: For an assessed loss of earning capacity of at least 66%, the provisional benefit is 70% of the insured's average earnings in the 12 months before the disability began. The provisional benefit is paid for up to 36 months (extended for 24 months if there is uncertainty about the final degree of loss of earning capacity).

The minimum monthly earnings for benefit calculation purposes are 268 pesos.

The maximum monthly earnings for benefit calculation purposes are 8,711 pesos.

When the disability is assessed as definitive, a monthly disability benefit of 70% of average earnings for regular contributors or 50% of average earnings for nonregular contributors in the 5 years before the disability began is paid, plus an annuity based on 53 times the insured's average earnings in the 12 months before the disability began multiplied by a coefficient (65 divided by the insured's age when the disability began), plus a lump sum of 100,000 is paid. The annuity may be paid as a lump sum and must be at least 180,000 pesos.

Constant-attendance allowance: If the insured has a severe, permanent, total disability and requires the constant attendance of others to perform daily functions, an additional monthly benefit equal to the minimum monthly earnings for benefit calculation purposes is paid.

The minimum monthly earnings for benefit calculation purposes are 268 pesos.

The maximum monthly earnings for benefit calculation purposes are 8,711 pesos.

Permanent partial disability benefit: For an assessed loss of earning capacity from 50% to 66%, the provisional benefit is the insured's average earnings in the 12 months before the disability began multiplied by the assessed loss of earning capacity. The provisional partial permanent disability benefit is paid for up to 36 months; the period may be reduced if the final degree of loss of earning capacity is determined.

When the partial disability is assessed as definitive with an assessed loss of earning capacity from 50% to 66%, the benefit is the insured's average earnings in the 12 months before the disability began multiplied by the degree of loss of earning capacity, plus a lump-sum benefit of 80,000 pesos. The benefit must be at least 180,000 pesos multiplied by the degree of loss of earning capacity.

When the partial disability is assessed as definitive with an assessed loss of earning capacity that is less than 50%, a lump-sum benefit is paid equal to 53 times the insured's average earnings in the 12 months before the disability began multiplied by the assessed loss of earnings capacity and a coefficient (65 divided by the insured's age when the disability began). The benefit must be at least 180,000 pesos multiplied by the degree of loss of earning capacity.

A medical commission assesses the degree of loss of earning capacity.

The insured may also receive family allowances.

Benefit adjustment: Benefits are adjusted automatically in March and September based on changes in tax revenue, wage indexes, and revenue of the National Social Security Administration.

Workers' Medical Benefits

Benefits include medical, pharmaceutical, and orthopedic care; prostheses; rehabilitation; and professional training.

Survivor Benefits

Survivor pension: Survivors receive an annuity based on 53 times the deceased's average earnings in the last 12 months multiplied by a coefficient (65 divided by the insured's age when the disability began or at the time of death), plus a lump-sum benefit of 120,000 pesos. The annuity may be paid as a lump sum and must be at least 180,000 pesos.

The lump sum is split equally among eligible survivors, including the spouse and children younger than age 21 (up to age 25 if a student).

Other eligible survivors: In order of priority, parents or relatives who were dependent on the deceased receive a pension.

The pension is payable abroad under bilateral or multilateral agreement.

Benefit adjustment: Benefits are adjusted automatically in March and September based on changes in tax revenue, wage indexes, and revenue of the National Social Security Administration.

Administrative Organization

Secretariat for Social Security (http://www.seguridadsocial.gov.ar) is responsible for policy development.

Superintendent of Work Injury provides general supervision.

Work injury insurers (ART) are responsible for work injury prevention and the management of benefits.

Unemployment

Regulatory Framework

First law: 1967.

Current laws: 1991 (unemployment insurance), implemented in 1992; 1999 (agricultural workers), implemented in 2004; and 2000 (construction workers), implemented in 2001.

Type of program: Social insurance system.

Coverage

Private-sector employees, including temporary and casual workers.

Exclusions: Self-employed persons, household workers, public-sector employees, and teachers in private institutions.

Source of Funds

Insured person: None.

Self-employed person: Not applicable.

Employer: 0.89% or 1.11% of gross payroll, according to the type of enterprise.

The minimum monthly earnings for contributions purposes are 268 pesos.

There are no maximum earnings for contributions purposes.

Government: Finances any deficit.

Qualifying Conditions

Unemployment benefits: The insured must have at least 6 months of contributions in the 3 years before unemployment; 90 days in the 12 months before unemployment for temporary workers.

Extended unemployment benefit: The benefit may be extended for up to 6 months if the unemployed person is at least age 45 (men and women) and has children who are eligible for family allowances.

Single-payment benefit: The benefit is paid to an unemployed person who intends to set up a business. The unemployed person must present a business plan to the Ministry of Labor, Employment, and Social Security for approval.

The unemployed person must be registered and available for suitable employment and not be receiving any other social security benefit.

Unemployment Benefits

The monthly benefit is 50% of the insured's best wage in the 6 months before unemployment. The benefit is paid for 4 months if the insured has 12 to 23 months of contributions; for 8 months with 24 to 35 months; for 12 months with 36 months or more.

The minimum monthly unemployment benefit is 250 pesos.

The maximum monthly unemployment benefit is 400 pesos.

Extended unemployment benefit: The benefit is 70% of the first monthly unemployment benefit paid.

Lump-sum benefit: The remainder of the benefit may be paid as a lump sum after the first monthly payment has been made, providing at least 3 monthly payments remain before entitlement ceases. The benefit is twice the total amount of the remaining monthly payments.

Unemployment beneficiaries may receive family allowances.

Administrative Organization

Ministry of Labor, Employment, and Social Security (http://www.trabajo.gob.ar) provides general supervision.

National Social Security Administration (http://www.anses.gov.ar) administers the social insurance program.

National Registry of Agricultural Workers and Employers (http://www.renatre.org.ar) administers the agricultural social insurance program.

Family Allowances

Regulatory Framework

First law: 1957.

Current law: 1996 (family allowances), implemented in 1996.

Type of program: Social insurance and social assistance system.

Coverage

Social insurance: Private-sector employees and beneficiaries of the work injury or unemployment programs with monthly income between 100 and 4,800 pesos, depending on the region. (Public-sector employees also receive Family benefits paid directly by their employer.)

Exclusions: Self-employed persons and household workers.

Social assistance: Persons who receive benefits under the social insurance, individual account, or other social assistance programs.

Source of Funds

Insured person: None.

Self-employed person: Not applicable.

Employer: 4.44% or 5.56% of gross payroll, according to the type of enterprise.

The minimum monthly earnings for contribution calculation purposes are 268 pesos.

There are no maximum earnings for contribution calculation purposes.

The employer's contributions also finance maternity benefits (see Sickness and Maternity, above).

Government: The cost of benefits paid under the social assistance program.

Qualifying Conditions

Family allowances:

Child benefit (means-tested): A monthly benefit is paid to an employed person, a pensioner, or a work injury (ART) beneficiary for every unmarried child younger than age 18. The benefit is paid to one of the parents or to the guardian.

Disabled child benefit (not means-tested): A monthly benefit is paid to an employed person, a pensioner, or a work injury (ART) beneficiary for each disabled child of any age. The benefit is paid to one of the parents or to the guardian.

Prenatal grant (means-tested): A monthly benefit is paid to an employed person with current, continuous employment for at least 3 months or to a work injury (ART) beneficiary from the time of conception to the expected date of childbirth or end of the pregnancy.

School allowance (means-tested): An annual benefit is paid to an employed person, a pensioner, or a work injury (ART) beneficiary who qualifies for a child benefit or a disabled child benefit. Certification of the child's school enrollment must be provided at the beginning of the year.

Birth grant (means-tested): A benefit is paid to an employed person with current, continuous employment for at least 6 months or to a work injury (ART) beneficiary for the birth of a child. The grant is paid to one of the parents or to the guardian.

Adoption grant (means-tested): A benefit is paid to an employed person with current, continuous employment for at least 6 months or to a work injury (ART) beneficiary for the adopted child. The grant is paid to one of the adopting parents.

Marriage grant (means-tested): A benefit is paid to both spouses if they have current, continuous employment for at least 6 months or are work injury (ART) beneficiaries.

Spouse benefit (means-tested): A monthly benefit is paid to a pensioner for a legal spouse who resides in Argentina.

Family Allowance Benefits

Family allowances

Child benefit (means-tested): The monthly benefit is between 68 pesos and 291 pesos, depending on the insured's income (in some cases, including cash benefits) and region.

Disabled child benefit (not means-tested): The monthly benefit is between 270 pesos and 1,080 pesos, depending on the region.

Prenatal allowance (means-tested): The monthly allowance is between 68 pesos and 291 pesos, depending on the insured's income (in some cases, including cash benefits) and region.

School allowance (means-tested): The annual allowance is between 170 pesos and 680 pesos, depending on the insured's income (in some cases, including cash benefits) and region.

Birth grant (means-tested): A lump sum of 600 pesos is paid.

Adoption grant (means-tested): A lump sum of 3,600 pesos is paid.

Marriage grant (means-tested): A lump sum of 900 pesos is paid.

Spouse benefit (means-tested): The monthly benefit is between 41 pesos and 82 pesos, depending on the beneficiary's income and region.

Administrative Organization

Secretariat for Social Security (http://www.seguridadsocial.gov.ar) is responsible for policy development.

National Social Security Administration (http://www.anses.gov.ar) supervises and administers the social insurance program.