Aguinaldo 2026: When to collect and how it's calculated

Argentines are preparing for the first installment of the "aguinaldo," officially known as the Sueldo Anual Complementario (SAC), a significant annual bonus that provides essential extra income for salaried employees and retirees. The payment is legally established by Law 23.041 and applies to both the private and public sectors.

The deadline for the first aguinaldo payment is the last working day of June, which falls on Tuesday, June 30, 2026. However, employers have a grace period of four business days, meaning some employees might receive the bonus as late as Monday, July 6. This benefit is exclusively for registered employees and pensioners. Workers in the informal economy, including those without formal contributions to the social security system, are not eligible for this payment.

The calculation method for the aguinaldo is straightforward: each half-year bonus equals 50% of the highest gross monthly salary earned during the corresponding six-month period. For the current payment, employers will consider the highest gross salary from January to June 2026. Employees who have not completed the full six months of service will receive a pro-rated amount, calculated by dividing their highest monthly salary by 12 and multiplying by the number of months worked.

This legal framework ensures economic predictability for beneficiaries and provides a basis for them to claim their payments on time. Companies are obligated to adhere to these dates, facing potential sanctions from labor authorities if they fail to comply. It is important to note that the calculation is always based on gross income, before any deductions or contributions are applied.