Nicaragua revises social security arrangements
Julie Francoeur
Revisions to Nicaragua’s social security arrangements (Spanish) effective 1 Feb 2019 include increased employer and employee contributions and a new reference period for calculating pensions. The reforms will reduce pension and benefit payments to retirees, disabled spouses, children who are minors and elderly dependents. The changes include:
Increased contributions to the integral regime. Employers with more than 50 employees now pay 22.5%, and employers with fewer than 50 employees pay 21.5%. The old contribution rate was 19% for all employers, regardless of their size. Employee contributions increased to 7% on 15 Feb 2019, up from 6.25%. The state contribution increased to 1.75% up from 0.25% for all employers.
Increased contributions to the old age, disability, death and professional risks regime. The contribution for employers with more than 50 employees increased to 16.5%, and to 15.5% for those with fewer than 50 employees. The old rate was 13% for all employers. The employees’ contribution increased to 5%, up from 4.25%.
Increased contributions to the optional integral regime and optional disability, old age, death and professional risks regime. The contribution rates respectively increased to 22.5 % (up from 18.25%), and 14% (up from 10%).
A new method for calculating employees’ social security contributions. The contributions are now calculated on an employee’s whole salary.
A new reference period for calculating pension payments. Pensions are now calculated on the employee’s salary for the 375 weeks (equivalent to 7.2 working years) preceding retirement — previously, the pension was calculated on the final 250 weeks’ salary. The maximum amount of monthly pension payable by INSS is unchanged at USD 1,500; the pension amount will be reviewed annually on 30 November.
Related Resources
Presidential Decree 06-2019 (Spanish) (Nicaraguan parliament, 28 Jan 2019)