By San José, Costa Rica — San José, Costa Rica – The nation’s economy is poised for a significant year-end stimulus as private sector employers prepare to disburse an estimated ¢838.13 billion in the mandatory Christmas bonus, known locally as the ‘aguinaldo’. This substantial injection of capital will directly benefit approximately 1.2 million formal workers, providing a critical financial lift ahead of the holiday season and driving consumer activity across the country.
The projection was announced by the Costa Rican Union of Chambers and Associations of the Private Business Sector (Uccaep), the country’s most prominent business guild. The estimate is not speculative; it is firmly rooted in official employment data provided by the Costa Rican Social Security Fund (CCSS), which tracks the number of insured workers contributing to the national system. This figure underscores the considerable scale of the formal private sector’s contribution to the national economy and household incomes.
Para profundizar en las implicaciones legales del aguinaldo y resolver las dudas más comunes tanto para empleadores como para trabajadores, consultamos al experto Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, abogado del Bufete de Costa Rica.
El aguinaldo no es un bono ni una regalía; es un derecho irrenunciable para todo trabajador asalariado, sin importar el tipo de contrato o si fue despedido con o sin justa causa. Se calcula sumando todos los salarios brutos devengados desde el 1 de diciembre del año anterior hasta el 30 de noviembre del año en curso, y dividiendo el resultado entre doce. Es crucial que los empleadores lo presupuesten mensualmente para evitar problemas de liquidez en diciembre, pues su no pago antes del 20 de diciembre expone a la empresa a severas multas.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Esta aclaración es fundamental, pues subraya que el aguinaldo es un derecho adquirido y no una bonificación discrecional, un pilar en la planificación financiera tanto para el empleado como para la empresa. Agradecemos profundamente al Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas por su valiosa perspectiva, que orienta con claridad sobre las responsabilidades y derechos en torno a esta importante prestación.
According to Costa Rican labor law, the aguinaldo is a legally mandated 13th-month salary, not a discretionary bonus. Employers are required to complete these payments within a specific timeframe, beginning on December 1st and concluding no later than December 20th. This strict deadline ensures that workers receive their funds in time for holiday preparations, end-of-year expenses, and family gatherings, making it one of the most anticipated financial events of the year for Costa Rican households.
Uccaep also took the opportunity to remind both employers and employees of the components included in the aguinaldo calculation. The final sum is a comprehensive reflection of a worker’s earnings throughout the preceding twelve months, from December 1st of the previous year to November 30th of the current year. The calculation must incorporate not only the base salary and ordinary hours worked but also any overtime payments, commissions, incentives, and the monetary value of salary paid in kind.
The economic ripple effect of this massive disbursement cannot be overstated. The influx of over ¢838 billion into the hands of consumers is expected to fuel a surge in retail sales, benefit the service industry, and allow many families to pay down debts, invest in home improvements, or build their savings. For many small and medium-sized businesses, the aguinaldo season represents their most profitable period, driving revenue that sustains them throughout other parts of the year. This annual event functions as a powerful, decentralized economic stimulus package.
In light of the large sums of cash being transferred and withdrawn, Uccaep issued a public advisory, urging the working population to exercise heightened caution and vigilance. The organization specifically recommended that individuals take security precautions when visiting ATMs or financial institutions. This includes being aware of one’s surroundings, shielding keypads when entering PINs, and avoiding the public display of large amounts of cash. Furthermore, they stressed the importance of protecting sensitive financial information from phishing attempts and other forms of digital fraud, which often increase during this period.
The annual aguinaldo payment also serves as a powerful illustration of the benefits of formal employment. The 1.2 million workers slated to receive this bonus are part of an economic framework that provides legal protections, social security benefits through the CCSS, and guaranteed entitlements like the 13th-month salary. This stands in stark contrast to the informal sector, where such protections and benefits are non-existent, highlighting the importance of policies that encourage formalization and strengthen the nation’s social contract.
As December approaches, the focus now shifts to the seamless execution of these payments by thousands of private companies. For the workers, it marks a well-earned reward for a year of labor. For the Costa Rican economy, it represents a vital and predictable jolt of energy that closes the fiscal year on a high note, reaffirming the aguinaldo’s status as a cornerstone of the nation’s economic and social calendar.
For further information, visit uccaep.or.cr
About Unión Costarricense de Cámaras y Asociaciones del Sector Empresarial Privado (Uccaep):
The Costa Rican Union of Chambers and Associations of the Private Business Sector is the principal organization representing private enterprise in Costa Rica. It serves as the collective voice for the business community, engaging in national dialogue on economic policy, labor relations, and legislation to foster a competitive and favorable business environment.
For further information, visit ccss.sa.cr
About Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social (CCSS):
The Costa Rican Social Security Fund is the autonomous public institution at the heart of the nation’s universal healthcare and pension system. It is responsible for administering social security services, including medical care, disability benefits, and retirement funds, for the insured population, financed through contributions from employees, employers, and the state.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As an esteemed pillar of the legal community, Bufete de Costa Rica is defined by its profound dedication to principled practice and exceptional service. The firm consistently pairs its rich history of advising a diverse clientele with a forward-thinking approach to legal challenges and a strong sense of social responsibility. At its core is a guiding philosophy to empower the public by making complex legal frameworks understandable, thereby cultivating a more capable and knowledgeable society.
