Supreme Decree No. 5503 introduces a set of social measures focused on the direct protection of family income, as part of a comprehensive package of provisions adopted by the Executive Branch to mitigate adverse economic effects on the population, particularly on vulnerable sectors.
Educational Subsidy to Promote School Retention – Juancito Pinto Bonus
The Supreme Decree maintains the Bono Juancito Pinto in force and provides for an increase in its amount for fiscal year 2026. The cash benefit is set at BOB 300 per student, representing an increase of BOB 100 compared to the previously applicable amount.
The bonus continues to be directed to children and adolescents enrolled in public and agreement-based educational institutions, including special education and the alternative education subsystem. The adjustment seeks to strengthen the impact of this educational incentive as direct support to family income, contributing to the coverage of expenses associated with basic education.
The Ministry of Education, through the Bonus Executing Unit, is responsible for the implementation and payment of the cash benefit and must issue the corresponding specific regulations within five business days from the publication of the Supreme Decree.
Increase of the Renta Dignidad benefit
For the Renta Dignidad cash benefit, the Supreme Decree provides for an increase of BOB 150 for older adults who do not receive a contributory pension, adding this amount to the pre-existing monthly benefit.
This adjustment aims to strengthen beneficiaries’ disposable income, partially offsetting the loss of purchasing power and reinforcing the protective scope of this social program.
Extraordinary Program for Protection and Equity (PEPE)
The Supreme Decree creates the Extraordinary Program for Protection and Equity (PEPE) as a new and temporary mechanism of monetary transfers, designed to reinforce the income of households and individuals in situations of heightened vulnerability.
The program provides for a monthly cash benefit of BOB 150 per beneficiary, starting in January 2026, subject to the following scope and limits:
- For families in situations of vulnerability, the cash benefit will be granted for an initial period, up to a maximum cumulative annual amount of BOB 450 per beneficiary. The following may access the program:
- Women receiving the Bono Juana Azurduy de Padilla as of November 30, 2025, including minors, through a tutor.
- Persons with visual disabilities receiving the Bono de Indigencia as of December 15, 2025, including minors, through a tutor.
- Persons with severe or very severe disabilities registered in the Information System of the National Registry Program for Persons with Disabilities (SIPRUNPCD) as of November 30, 2025, including minors, through a tutor.
- Older adults receiving the Renta Dignidad benefit as non-contributors.
- Additionally, parents or guardians of students enrolled in public and agreement-based educational units of the Regular, Special and Alternative Education Subsystems, receiving one benefit per family group.
- For older adults who receive the Renta Dignidad benefit and do not receive a Long-Term Social Security pension, the benefit may be extended for up to twelve consecutive months, with a maximum annual amount of BOB 1,800.
Access to PEPE is based on eligibility criteria and payments will be made through bank account deposits, over-counter payments, or other authorized institutional mechanisms. By its design and scope, PEPE constitutes the principal extraordinary social support instrument introduced by the Supreme Decree, with a direct impact on the disposable income of beneficiary households.
The Supreme Decree mandates that the Pensions and Insurance Supervisory and Control Authority (APS) issue an instruction to the Public Manager of the Long-Term Social Security System, regulating the applicable procedures within ten business days from the publication of the Supreme Decree.
Complementary measures with impact on households
Additionally, the Supreme Decree includes provisions which, while not constituting direct money transfers, affect the protection of family income, such as the deferral of credit obligations related to social housing and small-scale economic units.
These measures are intended to reduce financial pressure on indebted households, preserve their repayment capacity, and prevent adverse effects on their credit standing.
Conclusions
The social measures provided for in the Supreme Decree constitute a specific framework for the protection of family income, oriented towards strengthening the disposable income of households with students, older adults, and groups in situations of vulnerability.
This set of provisions is articulated with other components of the Supreme Decree addressing economic stabilization, productive reactivation, and confidence-building, thereby shaping a comprehensive response to current economic challenges.