Mexico City, June 15, 2026, 16:03 (CST)
- Mexican media is putting Modalidad 40 in the spotlight again as a way to increase an IMSS pension.
- In 2026, the monthly cost at the 25-UMA cap for a 30-day month can get to roughly 12,702.91 pesos.
- The scheme could assist certain workers under Ley 73, though missed payments or projections that don’t line up could mean higher costs.
Mexican ex-employees are back to talking about Modalidad 40 this week after new explainers from Infobae, El Imparcial de Oaxaca, and N+ broke down the program’s rules and how much it could run. The program can raise a worker’s IMSS pension, but they have to pay in themselves and keep payments up. Its formal name is Continuación Voluntaria en el Régimen Obligatorio. Ex-workers who qualify can keep building up contribution weeks and set their own Salario Base de Cotización, which is what their future pension is based on.
IMSS Modalidad 40 won’t have a flat monthly cost in 2026. El Economista said the contribution jumps to 14.438% of the chosen base salary, up from 13.347% for 2025. The rate climbs to 18.800% by 2030. Anyone paying the top rate on 25 UMA faces a 30-day bill near 12,702.91 pesos, with INEGI setting UMA at 117.31 pesos per day for 2026.
Sales pitches may play up access, but eligibility is tight. The Ley del Seguro Social says workers need at least 52 weekly contributions in the mandatory system over the last five years before leaving a job. After losing IMSS coverage, there’s only a five-year window to use the right. Workers have to pay contributions in advance. If they miss two months of payments, coverage can stop, per the law.
Picking a higher pension base under the scheme can end up as a “trap” for families because it also drives up the monthly fee. N+ said applicants have to provide CURP, Número de Seguridad Social, an email, and register either online or at an IMSS subdelegation. Infobae and El Imparcial reported that the updated payment-reference systems are meant to sort out issues with tagging voluntary payments. N+
Advisers are telling investors to be careful here. Leonardo Castillo, investment adviser at Fintual México, told El Economista that Modalidad 40 “no le conviene a todos” and “no es magia ni tampoco la última panacea.” It depends on the number of weeks paid in, retirement age, and what your average final salary is. The report noted it matters most for workers under Ley 73. Another El Economista piece said that people in Modalidad 40 do not get IMSS health coverage during this period. El Economista
