Jubilado Discounts

[Bonnie]

Straight from the horse's mouth:

[Penny]

ACODECO, the government agency that enforces these discounts and to whom you can complain about them, will be the presenters at the Tuesday BCP meeting at 10:30 on April 3. They will explain the procedure for making a complaint and how they go about enforcing the discount law. Come early as this promises to be a popular meeting.

[Dottie Atwater]

I would never waste my time again with ACODECO!

[Penny]

I know several people who say ACODECO worked wonders in resolving their problems. I also know that several restaurants in Boquete that initially refused to honor the jubilado discount now do so after being reported to ACODECO. Sorry that it didn't work well for Dottie.

[Penny]

Several people have asked me to post the Law (Ley 6) concerning jubilado discounts in Panama.

This will be a summary of the law in English rather than an exact word for word translation.

First of all the discount law applies to anyone:

a)    With a pensionado visa as long as the person is over 18 years old unless the age requirements are spelled out in the specific provision.

b)    Any legal resident of Panama who has attained the age of 55 (if female) or 60 (if male)

c)    The law does not apply to tourists or anybody who does not have some kind of residency visa.

 

Discount of 50% of the admission price for recreational and entertainment activities such as movies, sporting events, and other public shows. The discount is not applicable to charitable activities and fundraising events.

Discount on public transportation (other than inter-urban)

a)    30% for buses

b)    30% for trains

c)    30% for boats

d)    25% for airplanes

These transportations must originate in the country of Panama in order to receive the discount. The discount does not apply to the portion of the ticket for fuel surcharge or taxes.

Discount on hotels, motels, and hostels:

a)    50% from Monday through Thursday

b)    30% from Friday through Sunday

c)    In hotels that sell "all inclusive" packages there is a 20% discount applied Monday to Thursday, and a 12% discount applied from Friday to Sunday.

Discount of 25% on food consumed in non-fast food restaurants

a)    Doesn’t apply to fondas that don’t need a commercial operating license.

b)    The discount applies only to the qualifying persons, not everyone at the table.

c)    The discount applies only for a meal consumed on the premises; it doesn’t apply if the diner only orders a beverage or a dessert.

d)    If a restaurant is offering a special price for a meal, the diner has the option of paying the special price or obtaining the discount off of the regular price.

e)    The discount applies to all food except alcohol and sodas

Discount of 15% in fast food restaurants

a)    This is for places like McDonalds, Burger King, Food Courts and franchises.

b)    The diner has the option of paying a special promotion price or the regular price with the discount.

·         Editor’s note – both McDonalds and the cafeteria at Price Smart give 25% discount although they are not required by the law to do so.

Discount of 15% off the total bill for services at hospitals and private clinics.

Discount of 20% off of all medicines purchased in a pharmacy.

a)    If the medicine is offered at a special sales price, the buyer has the option of accepting the price or paying the regular price minus the discount.\

Discount off the following medical services:

a)    20% off the consultation fee for general practitioners, medical specialists, and surgeons.

b)    15% off the fee for dental services

c)    15% off the fee for optometrists

Discount for health insurance policies must adjust their premiums to reflect the discount for jubilados.

·         Editor’s note – the law doesn’t say what the percentage discount should be.

Discount of 20% of the charge for technical and/or professional services.

a)    Technical services include electricians, plumbers, building contractors, wood-workers, etc.

b)    Professional services include accountants, economists, lawyers, engineers, architects, etc.

Discount of 20% on the price of prosthetics and other handicap aids (crutches, wheel chairs, etc)

Discount of 50% on the fees and commissions for obtaining either a personal or a commercial loan.

Discount on the surcharge or encumbrances from a personal or commercial loan.

Discount of 15% off the interest charged by banks, financial institutions, credit institutions, etc on a personal or commercial loan.

Discount of 1% off the interest charged on a mortgage.

The freezing of the property tax on your primary residence that is in your name (not in a corporation or foundation).

Discount of 50% off the charge for a passport (Panamanian passport)

Discount of 25% on your monthly electrical bill (up to 600kwh).

Discount of 50% off the Airport taxes (usually included in your ticket)

Discount of 25% off the flat-rate monthly telephone contract bill when:

a)    The telephone bill is in your name

b)    The telephone bill is for residential usage

c)    The telephone bill is for a single phone

Discount of 25% of your water bill (whether from a public or private water company)

a)    The bill must not be more than $30

b)    The bill must be in your name

c)    The bill must be for a residence and be your primary residence

Exoneration of 100% in the Public Registry for paying registration and judicial fees for new organizations for retirees.

Discount of 20% for purchase of coffins and urns and for funeral services when the deceased qualified for the discount.

[Njf]

Hi Penny

I have come to this thread quite late. I have been having a bit of an argument with Copa.

You mention that the transportation discounts apply where 'These transportations must originate in the country of Panama in order to receive the discount. The discount does not apply to the portion of the ticket for fuel surcharge or taxes.'

I have tried with the help of Google Translate to understand the detail of the Ley which I found here. I have not found where these limitations are set out. I am sure you must be right, but can you tell me where they are to be found, please?

 

[Moderator_03]

Quote

Restaurants top list of failure to provide senior benefits

Posted 31/03/2023

Some 33 businesses have been sanctioned so far this year by the Consumer Protection Agency (ACODECO) for failing to comply with the law granting benefits to retirees, pensioners, and senior citizens.

The sanctions were announced by Acodeco on Thursday, March 31 to mark Retiree and Pensioner Day.

The fines amount to $17,396.90, with restaurants, inns, banks, and hotels being the agents that incur the most in the failure to recognize the discount that the beneficiaries of the law, highlighted Acodeco in its press release.

When analyzing the behavior of the 720 economic agents sanctioned from 2019 to date, the fines total $174,595. The most affected non-compliance are restaurants and inns, with 325 fines for $58,925.50; banks, with 82 sanctions for $46,575; hotels or vacation plans, with 65 for $11,455; clinics and hospitals, with 33 for $10,015; cooperatives, with 10 for $6,325; financial, with 15 for $6,075; other activities, with 53 for $5,179.53; travel agency, with eight for $4,750; airlines, with 11 for $4,265; supermarkets, with 10 for $2,850; public services, with 22 for $2,750 and pharmacies, with 14 fines for $2,030.

The proceeds from the fines feed the Special Fund for Retirees and Pensioners (Fejupen), a trust that serves to increase the money of pensioners and retirees from the Social Security Fund (CSS). Acodeco monitors compliance with at least 20 discounts and benefits for retired citizens, pensioners, and the elderly (55 years or older for women, 60 years or older for men).The establishments with attention to the public must keep in a visible place, signs detailing the discounts according to their activity.

In addition, state and private companies that provide public services must have a place or window for the attention of these people.

Complaints for non-compliance with the Law of 1987, can be presented by citizens through the virtual assistant Sindi (Institutional Information and Complaint System), through WhatsApp and Telegram at 6330-3333, the accounts of the social networks AcodecoPma on Facebook, Twitter, and the website of the institution

https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/restaurants-top-list-of-failure-to-provide-senior-benefits