On Friday the 18th and Saturday the 19th of September, Chileans will commemorate the National Holidays, the most important celebration of the year in the South American country. The tradition that accompanies the date is the aguinaldo, an extraordinary payment directed to workers and pensioners. For the year 2026, public employees and retirees have this extra amount practically guaranteed for the eighteenth, while those working in the private sector must negotiate it with their employer.
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The delivery of the aguinaldo is considered a bonus and even a social benefit for the most vulnerable people, as it helps them manage the increase in monthly expenses, which are mainly concentrated in the rise in food prices.
What are the aguinaldo amounts in 2026
For pensioners, the extra payment is 25,280 pesos (28 dollars), an amount that can increase by 12,969 pesos (14 dollars) for each dependent family member the pensioner has registered as of August 31, 2026. For public sector workers, the maximum amount is 91,682 pesos (100 dollars) for those earning less than 1,060,493 pesos (1,100 dollars), and those exceeding that amount receive 63,645 pesos (70 dollars). Regarding amounts in the private sector, it all depends on the agreement reached with the employer. A survey conducted by the global talent and business solutions consultancy Robert Half indicates that 42% of employees will receive between 50,000 pesos (55 dollars) and 100,000 pesos (110 dollars), 13% will receive more than 150,000 pesos (165 dollars), and 8% will receive between 100,000 pesos and 150,000 pesos.
Who receives the National Holidays aguinaldo
In 2026, the benefit covers pensioners who receive their retirement through multiple systems, along with public sector employees. These groups receive the extra amount from the State, with figures defined by law. In the case of private companies, it all depends on the agreement with the employer and the established contract or collective agreement. The Robert Half survey states that 62% of the country’s workers will receive the aguinaldo.
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What are the requirements for pensioners
The extra amount for pensioners during the National Holidays is given once, in a transfer made with the usual pension payment each month. The requirements to obtain the benefit are to be pensioners of the Social Security Institute (IPS); beneficiaries of the Universal Guaranteed Pension (PGU); Basic Solidarity Disability Pension (PBSI) or Disability Subsidy; former social security funds or former Social Security Service; the Labor Security Institute (ISL) and Employers’ Mutuals (Law No. 16,744); the Valech, Rettig reparation laws and political exonerated (Law No. 19,234); Dipreca and Capredena; and AFPs or insurance companies, provided they receive the PGU, the Solidarity Pension Contribution (old age or disability), or minimum pensions with state guarantee.
How the aguinaldo is delivered in the public sector
The National Holidays aguinaldo for the public sector is set by law and is delivered in September to workers holding permanent or contract positions until August 31, 2026. The groups considered are officials of the Judiciary; Comptroller General of the Republic; National Economic Prosecutor’s Office; staff of the Tax and Customs Courts; Labor Directorate; Social Security Superintendency; municipal staff; Armed Forces personnel; Carabineros personnel; Chilean Investigations Police personnel; Junji staff; Junaeb staff; workers of state universities; health professionals; workers of the Navy Shipyards and Workshops (ASMAR); workers of the Army Factories and Workshops (FAMAE); workers of the National Aeronautics Company of Chile (ENAER); public education assistants in establishments dependent on the Local Public Education Services (SLEP); education professionals (teachers) working in establishments dependent on the SLEP; education professionals transferred to the internal levels of the SLEP; staff of the Biodiversity and Protected Wild Areas Service (SBAP); staff of the National Forestry Service (SERNAFOR, formerly Conaf) and more.
Who has aguinaldo in the private sector
In Chile, employers are not obliged to give an aguinaldo to their workers, nor are they forced to set a minimum or maximum amount of money. The law does require employers to provide bonuses, which correspond to another type of payment. The extra amount is a right (and mandatory) in two scenarios: when it is stipulated in the employee’s work contract; or when it is incorporated into a clause of a contract or collective agreement.
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