The President of the Republic, José Raúl Mulino, has urged the National Assembly to accelerate the approval of the bill that reforms the Social Security Fund (CSS). In statements made to journalists at his regular Thursday press conference, Mulino emphasized the urgency of these reforms to ensure the sustainability of the pension system and warned of the consequences of not acting promptly. "The game is over for the country," said the president, underscoring the seriousness of the situation and the need for coherent decisions from the Legislature.
The bill, presented in November 2024, is based on agreements reached in working groups that included unions, associations, and guilds from the country. Among its main proposals are raising the retirement age, increasing contributions from employers and the government, and implementing a Unique and Solidarity System to guarantee the current and future pensions of all Panamanians. Furthermore, it has been emphasized that the CSS will not be privatized, explicitly ruling out that possibility in the bill.
Despite the urgency expressed by the Executive, the discussion in the National Assembly has progressed slowly. In December 2024, President Mulino requested the deputies to continue discussing the bill in January, avoiding hasty decisions during the year-end festivities. In January 2025, Mulino reiterated his call for speed, highlighting the importance of the reform for the future of the country and urging deputies to act with responsibility and commitment.
The president has been emphatic that if a coherent and sustainable reform is not approved, he will exercise his veto power, stressing that "the game is over for the country." The current situation of the CSS is critical, and the president has urged all political actors to understand the magnitude of the problem and to act accordingly to ensure the stability and well-being of Panamanians. The approval of these reforms is essential to avoid a financial collapse of the CSS and to ensure that future generations can rely on a solid and efficient social security system.
