Peruvian Teachers’ Pensions to Increase Up to $850: Latest Updates

The Peruvian Congress approved by insistence a bill increasing pensions for retired teachers and those on leave, setting the monthly amount at S/ 3,500.70. The decision, reached on March 18th, overrides an earlier objection from President Dina Boluarte and follows a period of tense debate within the legislature, according to reports from Infobae and La República.

The approval came after the bill – encompassing projects of law 3864, 4786, 8911, and others – was discharged from committee review, a procedural move that expedited its passage. The vote tally was 82 in favor, with zero against and three abstentions, as reported by La República. Prior to the final vote, President Boluarte had raised concerns about the legislation on October 7th, but Congress moved to override her objections.

The process was not without friction. During a parliamentary session, a disagreement between Congresswomen Flor Pablo and Patricia Juárez escalated, leading to a temporary suspension of proceedings, Infobae reported. The debate centered on the inclusion of the pension increase on the legislative agenda.

The approved measure will provide a pension equivalent to the Integral Monthly Remuneration (RIM) corresponding to the first teaching scale. This aims to ensure an adequate income for retired teachers, covering basic needs and allowing for a dignified standard of living, according to La República. The Secretary of the SUTEP (Single Union of Education Workers of Peru) stated that the necessary funds are available to implement the increase, according to Exitosa Noticias.

However, the decision has drawn criticism from business sectors. Organizations like ComexPerú and the Private Competitiveness Council have voiced concerns about the potential fiscal impact, estimating an annual cost of S/ 5,670 million, as reported by Diario del Cusco. These groups argue that the Congress lacks the constitutional authority to approve spending initiatives without corresponding revenue measures.

The legislation benefits teachers retired or on leave from the Public Teaching Career (CPM). The exact determination of the pension amount will be jointly defined by the Ministry of Economy and Finance and the Ministry of Education, according to Diario del Cusco.