The northern state of Nuevo Leon (capital: Monterrey) has a relatively generous social pension. The programme, known as “Apoyo Directo al Adulto Mayor” began in 2004 with means-tested pensions of MX$500 for 25,000 residents aged 70 years and older. By 2008 the number of beneficiaries reached 50,000, and in 2010 the size of the pension was increased to MX$700 (approximately US$55 at today’s exchange rate). Beneficiaries as of September 2012 number 57,618.
A unique feature of the scheme is its transparent use of geographic targeting in an attempt to reach the most destitute of the elderly population. The rules for applicants are simple. (Below is my translation of the rules, followed by the Spanish original.)
- Be 70 years of age or older, living in poverty.
- Be a native of Nuevo Leon or have at least five years residence in the state.
- Reside in one of the areas with the highest incidence of poverty in the state.
- Not be receiving a pension, nor support from local or foreign governments.Apoyo directo al adulto Mayor
¿Qué se requiere para ser beneficiario?– Tener 70 años de edad o más, vivir en situación de pobreza.
– Ser originario de Nuevo León o tener al menos cinco años viviendo en la entidad.
– Vivir dentro de las áreas de mayor carencia en el estado. [geographic targeting!!!]
– No contar con pensión ni apoyo de gobiernos locales o extranjeros.Government of Nuevo Leon, Internet Portal, accessed 5 October 2012.
According to the government’s portal, its social pension covers the entire state, including more than one thousand rural communities. (“Tiene cobertura en los 51 municipios del estado y en alrededor de 1,070 comunidades rurales.”) This implies that in rural communities at least some – possibly a majority – of the 32,000 beneficiaries of the universal 70+ pension have been receiving an additional means-tested benefit from the state of 700 pesos, for a total of 1,200 pesos (US$94) each month, despite a rule against receiving support from “local or foreign governments”. Well, one might argue that the federal government is neither local nor foreign, so the 70+ scheme does not count!
In 2012 the 70+ scheme became pension-tested, but universal in its geographic coverage. Residents of urban communities – in Nuevo Leon this means the large city of Monterrey – are no longer excluded from the federal programme. At the end of July the representative of the federal government agency (Sedesol) in charge of 70+ complained that registration of new beneficiaries in Monterrey was proceeding at a very slow pace: new entrants numbered only 26,000, less than a third of the expected 86,000. One reason for the poor response might be that those receiving a state social pension of MX$700 feared losing it if they accepted the smaller federal benefit of MX$500. At least one local newspaper stressed that it was possible for an elderly resident of Nuevo Leon to apply for both pensions. The publicity helped. In August alone, there were 35,000 new enrollees.
Below are the relevant parts (in Spanish) of the July 2012 newspaper article.
Usted tiene derecho a recibir un bono federal de mil pesos cada bimestre, sin importar su nivel social o si ya recibe el bono estatal de 700 pesos mensuales. ….
Un total de 86 mil personas mayores de 70 años de edad tienen derecho a recibir este bono, pero desgraciadamente sólo 26 mil se están beneficiando. ….
Las causas para que el programa no haya tenido el eco suficiente se explican por la falta de difusión y a que, apenas surgió, se suspendió por la veda electoral.
Sin embargo, después del 1 de julio, el programa se reanudó y ahora la Sedesol convoca a los adultos mayores a acudir a inscribirse.
Cada dos meses, un adulto mayor puede recibir un bono de mil pesos, sin importar cuál sea su nivel socioeconómico y si vive o no con familiares.
Además, tampoco importa si el adulto ya recibe el bono de 700 pesos mensuales del gobierno estatal, pues este programa no es restrictivo en este aspecto.
La entrega de los mil pesos bimestrales se hace a través del depósito en una tarjeta de débito, que se usa en los establecimientos comerciales. ….
Recuerde que los únicos requisitos son tener cumplidos 70 años de edad, y no recibir pensión de ningún tipo.
Olivia Martínez, “¿Tiene más de 70 años y no recibe pensión? Le darán dinero…“, Info7, 29 July 2012.
