Costa Rica's General Superintendency of Insurance has published a press clipping from Grupo Extra containing an opinion column by former president Miguel Ángel Rodríguez opposing five legislative initiatives that would allow workers to receive funds from the Mandatory Complementary Pension Regime (ROP) before retirement. The column argues that early access would undermine the purpose of the multipillar pension system and weaken retirement income protection. The piece says the initiatives, introduced by legislators from the Frente Amplio, PLN and the governing party, rely on the argument that ROP resources “belong to the worker”. It counters that ROP accounts were created under the Worker Protection Law to complement basic pension regimes, including the Costa Rican Social Security Fund’s Invalidity, Old Age and Death (IVM) system, and were designed to provide an additional retirement benefit estimated at around 20% of salary after 25 years of contributions. It also states that roughly 60% of an account balance after 25 years comes from investment returns and that nearly two-thirds of monthly contributions are funded by employers, warning that early withdrawals would reduce lifetime pensions as Costa Rica’s population ages.
Superintendencia General de Seguros de Costa Rica 2025-11-10
Costa Rica's General Superintendency of Insurance publishes external commentary warning against five bills enabling early withdrawals from ROP pension savings
Costa Rica's General Superintendency of Insurance shared an opinion by former president Miguel Ángel Rodríguez opposing proposals for early access to Mandatory Complementary Pension Regime (ROP) funds. Rodríguez argues this would undermine the pension system and weaken retirement income protection, as ROP accounts are meant to complement basic pensions and provide significant retirement benefits. Early withdrawals could reduce lifetime pensions, especially as Costa Rica's population ages.