The loss of a loved one is a deeply painful time, both emotionally and financially. Funeral expenses can place a significant burden on families. Fortunately, in Chile there is a benefit designed to alleviate these costs: mortuary fee. This financial support is available exclusively to those who received the Universal Guaranteed Pension (PGU) at the time of their death.
The PGU It is a state aid created to improve the pensions of citizens over 65 years of age, replacing the old Basic Solidarity Pension for Old Age (PBSV) and the Solidarity Pension for Old Age, also known as Pilar Solidario. The administration of this benefit is in charge of the Social Security Institute (IPS) and the amount that beneficiaries receive depends on their monthly base pension. For example, if a person has a base pension less than or equal to $729,764, the amount of the PGU will be $214,296. For base pensions between $729,765 and $1,158,355, the PGU figure varies according to each case.
The mortuary fee It is a benefit that is granted to people who take care of the funeral expenses of those who received the PGU while alive. This amount, which is equivalent to 15 Unidades de Fomento (UF) and currently represents approximately $560,139, can be requested by any natural or legal person who has assumed these costs. The way in which this amount is delivered depends on whether the deceased had funds in a Pension Fund Administrator (AFP) or not. If you have funds, the missing balance is covered up to a limit of 15 UF. If you did not have funds, the entire benefit is assigned.
To collect the mortuary fee, it is necessary to meet certain requirements. People who received the PGU should not be affiliated with the Pension System as of February 1, 2022. This criterion includes those who began to receive the PGU after this date and were not affiliated with any social security system. In addition, beneficiaries of unaffiliated survivor pensions and those who die while holders of the PGU are also eligible. It is important that beneficiaries do not simultaneously receive the Death Allowance from another social security scheme.
The process to collect mortuary fee involves the presentation of certain documents at a ChileAtiende office. Those responsible for funeral expenses must carry an electronic invoice for the funeral service, the identity card of the contracting party for the service and, in the event that a funeral home or legal entity carries out the procedure, a duly signed transfer of rights document. This procedure ensures that funds are appropriately delivered to those actually responsible for funeral costs.
