Global Courant
Pensioners due to disability, old age and survival risks, as well as beneficiaries by cause of death of the Guatemalan Social Security Institute (IGSS), must verify each year their survival and the persistence of conditions so that the pension amount includes a family allowance .
According to information from the IGSS, all pensioners of the Disability, Old Age and Survivorship (IVS) program have to make a statement every year to indicate that their wife or partner, minor children, children with disabilities, parents or other beneficiaries continue to be a family burden.
The pension is a cash benefit that Social Security, through the IVS, pays in close monthly installments to the pensioner or the entitled beneficiary. Pensioners who fail to comply with the declaration of the persistence of the conditions or the proof of survival will have their payment temporarily suspended.
Deadlines for the declaration of persistence of pension rights
Pensioners due to old age, disability or cause of death have 30 calendar days from their birthday to verify survival and persistence of rights.
Survivor pensioners also have a period of no more than one calendar month, from the birthday of the deceased member who gave them the right to the pension, to declare that they are still alive and still enjoying the benefits.
For pensioners who do not comply with the declaration of the persistence of the conditions or the proof of survival, the IVS will suspend their payment temporarily, until they present the declaration.
According to a recent IGSS publication, Miguel Guzmán, in charge of the Pension Payment and Control Area of the IVS Department, on average, a thousand cases are suspended monthly for failing to comply with the declaration.
Procedure to declare survival and right to pension
If the pensioner resides in the metropolitan area, the procedure can be carried out at the Affiliate Service Center (Catafi) of the IGSS Central Offices, and he does not need to schedule an appointment to carry out this procedure.
If the pensioner resides in the interior of the Republic, the procedure can be carried out at the Comprehensive Medical Care Center for Pensioners (CAMIP) that corresponds to him, or at the nearest Delegations or Departmental Savings Banks.
It is important to have your data updated prior to checking your survival.
What documents must the pensioner present?
To comply with the requirement of proof of survival or persistence of rights, the affiliate must present his Personal Identification Document (DPI), and that of the beneficiaries. If they are minors, present their birth certificate containing the Unique Identification Code (CUI).
Pensioners residing abroad must also present a survival certificate in the same terms as for those who live in national territory.
The process can be carried out through the Guatemalan consulate closest to your residence.
Who is exempt from the declaration before the IVS?
Pensioners who do not have an allowance for family responsibilities are exempt from this process, since it is only mandatory for those who enjoy an additional amount for their economic dependents.
