The Chilean government will distribute an increased Winter Bonus to eligible seniors during the first days of May 2026. According to reports from Elmostrador, the benefit will rise to $81,257 per beneficiary this year.
The payment serves as a seasonal economic boost for the elderly population as temperatures drop during the transition to autumn. The funds will be deposited automatically alongside May pension payments.
Eligibility requirements
To qualify for the benefit, individuals must be at least 65 years old as of May 1, 2026. Recipients must also receive a pension equal to or lower than the minimum old-age pension established for those aged 75 and older.
The program covers several specific groups. This includes pensioners from the Social Security Institute (IPS), the Labor Security Institute (ISL), and various Pension Funds (Cajas de Previsión).
Beneficiaries of Employer Mutuals and those under the 1980 Pension System receiving state-guaranteed minimum pensions are also eligible. The criteria also extend to individuals receiving the Universal Guaranteed Pension (PGU) who do not hold other pension rights.
Those currently receiving the PGU under a different pension regime can also access the funds. However, their total pension amount must not exceed the minimum threshold set for pensioners aged 75 and above.
No application process is necessary for this benefit. The state identifies eligible recipients through existing pension databases and executes the payments automatically.
