Disheveled-haired man in a dark suit raising his fist and smiling in an outdoor setting — The Government increased the social security rates for the clubs | La Derecha Diario

Camara — The Government increased the social security rates for the clubs | La Derecha Diario

The Government doubled the social security contributions that football clubs must pay

With a new resolution, the Executive raised the rate from 7.5% to 13.06% and added an additional surcharge of 5.56% for one year, seeking to balance the pension system

28/07/2025 15:10:00h

Editorial Team

The National Government has formalized a significant increase in the social security contributions and payments that football clubs must pay, within the context of the dispute over the special regime that the activity has enjoyed since 2003.

Through resolution 16/2025 of the Undersecretariat of Social Security of the Ministry of Human Capital, a rate increase from 7.5% to 13.06% was established, nearly double the previous percentage. In addition, an additional and temporary rate of 5.56% was set for a period of twelve consecutive months.

Two people look at each other and smile; one is wearing a dark suit and the other a blue jersey.

Human Capital increased the rates for professional clubs | La Derecha Diario

This measure was taken after the expiration of the six-month period established by Decree 939/24, which allowed a commission made up of the Executive and club representatives to design a new non-deficit contribution scheme.

Since a viable agreement was not reached, where the proposal submitted by the AFA was considered "clearly deficit-ridden", the Government proceeded on its own with an update of the contributions, seeking to balance the accounts of the pension system.

In this regard, the Minister of Deregulation and State Transformation, Federico Sturzenegger, was one of the most active proponents of this reform.

In a recent thread published on his X account, he denounced that the current regime, created after the 2001 crisis through Decree 1212/03, allowed clubs to replace traditional contributions with a special system based on a percentage of ticket sales, transfers, and TV rights, but with historically low rates that did not cover the system's costs.

"In 2024, sales of Argentine football players caused revenues of 324 million dollars, but when it comes time to pay social security contributions, football is subsidized by retirees," Sturzenegger began.

Facade of a building with the AFA crest and an Argentine flag, next to a group of elderly people and a bald man in a circle at the center of the image

Sturzenegger criticized the AFA for harming retirees | La Derecha Diario

"Between November 2023 and April 2024, the deficit caused by this regime was 7 billion pesos," the official warned, who also denounced avoidance maneuvers by the clubs: the use of season tickets to avoid payment on tickets, and the inclusion of non-sporting activities (such as schools) under the same exemption.

Despite the Executive's attempt to eliminate this benefit as of May, AFA obtained a precautionary measure in its favor issued by Federal Administrative Litigation Court No. 6, which forced the temporary reinstatement of the previous regime. In this situation, the Government resorted to an alternative already provided for in Decree 510/23, which enables rate updates to ensure the fiscal balance of the system.

The resolution published this Monday represents the first concrete step by the Executive in this direction, since it not only increases the base rate from 7.5% to 13.06%, but also adds a temporary charge of 5.56% to recover the deficit caused in recent months.

This measure is part of a broader strategy by the government of Javier Milei, which seeks to cut sectoral benefits, eliminate historical privileges, and reduce the fiscal deficit. In this case, the target is one of the most influential and protected sectors of Argentine institutional life: professional football.

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