Year-end Bonus: Who Qualifies and What You Get
Learn about the mandatory year-end bonus in Mexico, including how much you receive and when it must be paid.
The Year-end Bonus, locally known as Aguinaldo, is a mandatory extra payment that all employees are entitled to receive at the end of the calendar year.
Who it's for
This scheme is designed to benefit all employees. Under the current regulations, there are no specific exclusions based on your job role or the type of work you perform; if you are an employee, you qualify for this annual payment.
What you get
The benefit consists of a lump-sum payment of your salary. By law, you must receive a minimum of 15 days of salary. This payment is intended to provide extra financial support during the holiday season and must be distributed to you no later than December 20th.
What it costs you
There is no financial cost to the employee to receive this benefit. It is a statutory right that you do not have to pay for. For employers, however, this represents a mandatory annual expense that must be factored into their yearly budget and payroll planning.
The catch to know
A common point of confusion involves employees who have not been with their company for a full twelve months. It is important to know that the bonus must be paid in full according to the rules, even if the employee did not work the full year. You are entitled to the benefit regardless of whether your tenure was short or long.
How to apply
- Review your employment contract and pay stubs to confirm your current daily salary rate.
- Monitor your bank account or physical pay slip around the December 20th deadline.
- Calculate your expected bonus by multiplying your daily salary by at least 15.
- If the payment is not received by the deadline or the amount is less than the required 15 days of salary, contact your employer or a relevant authority to resolve the discrepancy.