According to data from the Elderly Advocacy in Argentina, a retiree needs at least $1,200,523 per month to cover their basic expenses. However, the minimum pension in March was $350,000, including a bonus of $70,000, which highlights a significant gap between income and the cost of living.
In February 2024, the basic basket for retirees stood at $1,200,523, representing an annual increase of 75.2% compared to the previous year. This survey was conducted in several regions where the majority of older adults in the country reside.
The main expenses for retirees are distributed in food with 23% of the total ($279,834), medications with 22% ($260,245), and housing, which includes maintenance of owned properties, rents, and stays in pensions.
Regarding the category of medications, the increase is due to the reduction of discounts on prescribed drugs and the expansion of over-the-counter medications not covered by PAMI.
Various pensions such as the Universal Pension for the Elderly (PUAM) and Non-Contributory Pensions have been increased, but the $70,000 bonus has been frozen since March 2024, when an update to $145,000 was expected.
In the first quarter of 2025, inflation increases of 7.5% were recorded, with monthly increases of +2.43% in January, +2.7% in February, and +2.21% in March. Despite these adjustments, the loss of purchasing power continues to rise, leaving millions of retirees with incomes far below their basic needs.
