The IGSS survivor pension (pension por sobrevivencia) provides ongoing financial support to the family members of a deceased IGSS-affiliated worker. This pension is one of the most important benefits of the IVS program, ensuring that the death of a worker who contributed to social security does not leave their spouse and children without income. The pension is paid monthly to eligible beneficiaries for as long as they meet the eligibility criteria.

To qualify, the deceased worker must have accumulated at least 36 months of IGSS contributions within the last 6 years before their death. Eligible beneficiaries include the surviving spouse, minor children under 18, children with permanent disabilities regardless of age, and parents who were economically dependent on the deceased. The pension is divided among all eligible beneficiaries according to IGSS rules, and each beneficiary must prove their relationship through official documentation.

This benefit is particularly important for families of Guatemalan workers who passed away while the family or parts of the family were abroad. Many Guatemalans in the United States have family members in Guatemala who contributed to IGSS. If that family member passes away, the surviving spouse and children in the US or Guatemala may be entitled to a survivor pension.

Quick summary: Survivor pension requires the deceased to have had 36+ months of IGSS contributions in the last 6 years. Eligible beneficiaries: spouse, minor children, disabled children, dependent parents. Application is free. Processing: 1-3 months.

Information verified March 2026.

Eligible Beneficiaries

BeneficiaryConditions
Surviving spouseLegal marriage or recognized union
Minor childrenUnder 18 years of age
Disabled childrenAny age, with permanent disability
Dependent parentsMust prove economic dependence on the deceased

Requirements

  • DPI of the beneficiary(ies)
  • Death certificate (certificacion de defuncion) from RENAP
  • DPI of the deceased (or copy)
  • Marriage certificate or proof of union (for spouse)
  • Birth certificates proving parentage (for children)
  • Formulario IVS-102 (deceased’s employment history)
  • Contribution records of the deceased

Step-by-Step Process

  1. Obtain death certificate from RENAP
  2. Verify the deceased had 36+ months of IGSS contributions in the last 6 years
  3. Gather proof of relationship — marriage certificate, birth certificates
  4. Complete formulario IVS-102 with the deceased’s employment history
  5. Submit at IVS offices with all required documentation
  6. IGSS reviews and calculates the pension amount
  7. Pension payments begin to approved beneficiaries

From the US (Diaspora Info)

  • Family members in the US can claim through a representative in Guatemala using a poder especial
  • Gather documentation in advance: death certificate, marriage/birth certificates, and the deceased’s IGSS affiliation number
  • RENAP can issue certified copies of birth and marriage certificates needed for the application
  • The process is free — do not pay intermediaries

Tips & Common Mistakes

  • Act promptly after the death. While there is no strict deadline that would eliminate your right to the pension, delays in claiming mean lost months of payments.
  • Obtain all relationship documents (marriage, birth certificates) from RENAP with recent dates. IGSS may reject old or damaged certificates.
  • If the deceased was not formally married, the surviving partner may still qualify through a recognized union (union de hecho), but this requires proof.
  • Each beneficiary needs their own documentation. If there are multiple children, each needs their own birth certificate proving parentage.
Details

If the deceased worker was not formally married but lived with a partner, the surviving partner may still qualify for a survivor pension:

  • Union de hecho (common-law marriage) is legally recognized in Guatemala after a continuous cohabitation period.
  • Proof required: Testimony from neighbors, family members, or community leaders. Utility bills in both names, shared lease agreements, or joint bank accounts also help.
  • IGSS may require a judicial declaration of union de hecho. This means going to a family court (Juzgado de Familia) to have the relationship officially recognized. This adds time to the process.
  • Start this process early. If you know the deceased worker was not formally married but had a long-term partner, begin gathering evidence and consulting a family lawyer before applying to IGSS.
  • Children born to unmarried parents still qualify as beneficiaries. The birth certificate naming the deceased as parent is sufficient — marriage of the parents is not required.
Details
  • Worker was already receiving retirement pension: If the deceased was already an IGSS retiree (pension por vejez), the survivor pension is calculated as a percentage of the retirement pension they were receiving. The process is similar but simplified since the pension was already active.
  • Multiple beneficiaries: The pension is divided among all eligible beneficiaries. A spouse typically receives 50%, and children share the remaining 50%. As children reach age 18 and lose eligibility, the remaining beneficiaries’ shares increase.
  • Surviving spouse remarries: Remarriage terminates the survivor pension for the spouse. However, children’s portions continue until they reach 18. Some spouses delay remarriage to maintain the pension.
  • Worker died abroad: The death certificate from the foreign country must be legalized or apostilled and translated into Spanish. The beneficiary still needs to present it at IGSS for the application.
  • Contested beneficiaries: If multiple people claim to be the surviving spouse (e.g., a legal wife and a common-law partner), IGSS may require a court ruling to determine eligibility. This can significantly delay the pension.
  • Funeral expenses (gastos de entierro): IGSS also provides a one-time funeral expense payment separate from the ongoing pension. Request this at the time of application.