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New retiree discounts start in May 2027

President José Raúl Mulino signed the expanded discount law for retirees, pensioners and older adults on Monday 2 November 2026, and it was published the same day in the Gaceta Oficial as Law 562 of 2 November 2026 (Gaceta Oficial Digital No. 30647). The law rewrites parts of Law 6 of 1987. It started as Bill 746, which the National Assembly approved in third debate on 30 October with 50 votes, La Prensa reported.

The new discounts do not apply yet. Article 10 says the law takes effect six months after its promulgation. Counting from the 2 November Gaceta date, that points to early May 2027. Until then, the discounts in the current law keep applying (Destino Panamá).

Who qualifies, according to the official text

  • Panamanians who are retirees or pensioners, or women aged 55 or older and men aged 60 or older (Law 562, art. 1).
  • Foreigners with permanent residence in Panama: women aged 57 or older and men aged 62 or older (Law 562, art. 1). Some early reports said foreign residents qualify at 55 and 60. The published text says 57 and 62.
  • Proof of status: your cédula, your retiree or pensioner card, or the permanent-resident card issued by the Tribunal Electoral (Law 562, art. 5).
  • The text ties "retirees or pensioners" to Panamanians and sets age thresholds for foreign permanent residents. It does not spell out how foreign pensioners below 57 or 62 are treated.

Health

  • Medicines: 20% with a prescription in the beneficiary's name. No prescription is needed for over-the-counter medicines (art. 1, item 5). La Prensa reports the medicine discount rises from 10% to 20%.
  • Medical consultations, general and specialist: 25%. Dental: 15%. Optometry and ophthalmology: 15%. Laboratory tests: 20%. Radiology: 30%.
  • Cancer treatment, cancer medicines and related supplies: 30%.
  • Prostheses, wheelchairs, crutches, canes, walkers, hospital beds and similar equipment: 20%. Rental, repair and maintenance of that equipment: 20%, with a doctor's certificate; the procedure will be set by regulation.
  • Basic home adaptations such as ramps, grab bars, handrails and non-slip surfaces: 15%, with a medical indication, up to a cap to be set by regulation.
  • Ostomy bags, urinary catheters, hydrocolloid patches and prescribed creams: exempt from import duty and ITBMS.
  • The discounts do not apply to consultations, tests, medicines and supplies provided in Ministry of Health (Minsa) public facilities (art. 3).

Household bills and property

  • Electricity: 25% on monthly consumption up to 600 kWh, normal rate above that.
  • Water: 25% if the bill is no more than B/.30, in your name, for your home.
  • Internet or cable TV: 20% if the contract is no more than B/.50, in your name, for your main home.
  • Mobile phone: 20% on one number in your name, contract no more than B/.30. Residential landline: 20% of the fixed charge.
  • Residential garbage fee (tasa de aseo): 20% if the contract is in your name for your main home.
  • Property tax frozen if the home is in your name and is your only property; exemption from the valorización fee on the same conditions.
  • Notary and registry fixed charges: 20% for home transactions under the preferential-interest housing regime.

Eating out, travel and other items

  • Restaurants and franchises: 25% on individual consumption, except fondas.
  • Hotels: 50% Monday to Thursday, 30% Friday to Sunday. Cinemas, theatre, sports and shows: 50%.
  • Interurban buses, trains and boats: 30%. Airfares: 25%. Airport tax: 50%. Passports: 50%.
  • Coffins, urns and funeral services: 25%. Adult diapers: 20% and exempt from ITBMS.
  • Many of these items were already in Law 6. The Presidency and La Prensa highlight medicines, medical services, assistive equipment, funeral services, adult diapers and some housing paperwork as the main new or expanded benefits.

Rules for businesses

  • Shops must show the regular price and the discounted or promotional price together (art. 2).
  • Acodeco can fine businesses that refuse the discounts between B/.50 and B/.5,000, doubling for each repeat offence, and businesses must display the discounts in a visible place (art. 6).
  • Businesses can deduct the discounts they grant from income tax (art. 7).

What it means for expats

  • If you are a foreign permanent resident, the new ages are 57 for women and 62 for men once Law 562 takes effect, around May 2027. Until then the current law applies, and it uses 55 and 60.
  • If you hold a pensioner-category residency and are younger than those ages, ask your immigration lawyer or Acodeco how Law 562 applies to you before counting on the new discounts.
  • The current Law 6 speaks of foreign residents. Law 562 names foreigners with permanent residence. If you hold temporary residency, ask Acodeco or your lawyer whether you will still qualify after the change.
  • Several bill discounts only work when the contract is in your name and is for your main home. If your water, internet, phone or garbage accounts are in a landlord's or company's name, you may want to change that before May 2027.
  • Keep your Tribunal Electoral permanent-resident card valid and with you; it is one of the three listed forms of proof.
  • Until the law takes effect, pharmacies, clinics and restaurants apply the current discounts. Keep receipts, and report refusals to Acodeco.

Sources

  • Gaceta Oficial Digital No. 30647 - Law 562 of 2 November 2026 (amends Law 6 of 1987) - 2 Nov 2026
  • La Prensa - President Mulino signs law expanding retiree discounts - 2 Nov 2026
  • EcoTV - Mulino signs law expanding discounts for retirees and pensioners - 2 Nov 2026
  • La Estrella de Panamá - Mulino signs retiree discount law and 2027 budget - 2 Nov 2026
  • Destino Panamá - Mulino signs law expanding benefits for retirees and pensioners - 2 Nov 2026
  • Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Presidency release) - President Mulino signs law extending retiree benefits - 2 Nov 2026
  • MICI - Law 6 of 1987 on retirees and older adults, consolidated text