Mandatory Annual Bonus: Who Qualifies and What You Get
Learn about your right to receive a yearly salary bonus by December 20th if you are a formal employee in Mexico.
The Mandatory Annual Bonus, known locally in Mexico as Aguinaldo, is a yearly payment that formal employees are legally entitled to receive as part of their compensation package.
Who it's for
This scheme is designed for all formal employees. If you are working under a formal employment contract, you qualify for this benefit. It is a standard protection for those within the formal labor sector to ensure they receive additional financial support at the end of the year.
What you get
The benefit consists of a mandatory payment of at least 15 days of your salary. This amount is intended to be paid to you by December 20th each year. The amount is tied to your current salary, serving as a guaranteed yearly supplement to your regular earnings.
What it costs you
There is no cost to you to receive this benefit. It is a right provided to you by virtue of your formal employment status and should not require any personal expenditure to claim.
The catch to know
The most common issue employees face is when employers attempt to pay this bonus in installments over several months rather than as a single, lump-sum payment. It is important to know that employers often try to do this without the employee's consent, but the requirement is for a timely payment by the specified December deadline.
How to apply
- Confirm that your current employment is classified as formal work.
- Review your salary and pay records to determine what your 15-day minimum payment should look like.
- Monitor your bank account or pay stub for the payment around the December 20th deadline.
- If the payment is missing or is being offered in unauthorized installments, contact your employer to discuss your rights.