Withdrawal of 10%: deputies of Chile Vamos arrive divided to vote this Tuesday in the room

At 10:00 am on Tuesday, the session begins in the Chamber of Deputies room where the second withdrawal of 10% of the pension funds will be voted in general and in particular. Unlike what happened with the first withdrawal of funds, this time there is less uncertainty about the result, since even members of the ruling party recognize that it will be approved in general, but it is in particular where there are greater doubts about some indications.

If the bill is approved, it would go on to be seen in the Senate, where there is no consensus in the opposition. For Tuesday’s vote, the deputies defined that three-fifths of the votes of parliamentarians in office are needed, despite the fact that the government has indicated that this initiative must be approved by two-thirds, so they do not rule out resorting to the Constitutional Court . The government has also warned about the number of people who could be left without funds for their pension if this initiative succeeds, and that would amount to about 4 million people, since with the first withdrawal of 10% there were about 2 million affiliates those who had no balance for their pension.

On the other hand, although so far the project indicates that all AFP affiliates who wish may withdraw their 10%, the parliamentarians of Chile Vamos will seek to enter indications so that the universe of people who can access these funds is targeted. This Tuesday the parliamentary motion that seeks the withdrawal of funds for terminally ill patients will also be voted in the room. Meanwhile, this new project to withdraw the 10% also brings some differences with respect to the initiative that was approved in July. What is being voted on this Tuesday and what result is expected?

In this second project to withdraw 10%, the amounts that could be requested from the AFP are the same as those of the first withdrawal, that is, between 35 UF and 150 UF. Although the opposition will approve the initiative, in Chile Vamos they are divided on the general vote on the project. RN’s bench chief, Sebastián Torrealba, believes that the party’s deputies will support in general.

Meanwhile, this Monday from the UDI the positions were divided, and parliamentarians warned that during the night of this Monday some position could be resolved. Deputy Andrés Celis (RN) said: “I have absolutely resolved that I am going to vote in favor of the idea of ​​legislating this second withdrawal and, in relation to the indications, I am going to support all those that were voted in favor in the Constitution Commission ”. Deputy Jorge Durán (RN) said that he will support the second withdrawal “and the changes that have been made, because we need to remove this project as soon as possible to give an economic break to millions of households that still do not receive enough help in the middle of this pandemic”. Deputy Eduardo Durán (RN) commented that “just as I always voted in favor of the first withdrawal, this time I am again on the side of the people and I will vote in favor of the second withdrawal.”

This time the House Constitution Committee agreed that those who decide to withdraw funds pay taxes. The above, only for those who have a monthly taxable income greater than $ 2.5 million. Of course, this would be in case the withdrawal is greater than 35 UF ($ 1 million). This indication was approved in the Commission with votes from Chile Vamos and DC Deputy Matías Walker. In any case, on Monday the parliamentarians had doubts as to whether or not the votes to approve this issue were in the room, since the opposition could arrive divided. In any case, in DC there was no defined position, and they hoped to be able to resolve it during the night of this Monday. In fact, Congressman Iván Flores (DC) comments that “there is no bench agreement yet. Personally, I will not support the collection of taxes from anyone. We are in a pandemic and if someone takes out their money, knowing that it is part of future requirements, it is because they have urgent needs ”. Beyond the DC, until Monday there was also the possibility that parliamentarians from other opposition parties would support this issue. On the other hand, RN Eduardo Durán pointed out that “I do not agree with the tax that is intended to be established on higher incomes.”

Other indications that were approved in the Constitution Commission establish that people who withdraw 10% can reimburse the resources if they so wish. This proposal obtained 12 favorable votes from the deputies and only one abstention, with the support of practically all the opposition. In this way, no big surprises are expected for today’s vote in the room, where they project the go-ahead for the reimbursement of funds. This proposal indicates that in addition to the 10% mandatory contribution that currently exists, a voluntary 5% could be contributed to replace the funds withdrawn.

The parliamentarians of Chile Vamos hope to enter indications that were rejected in the Constitution Commission, with which they seek to focus the retirement on people who have experienced a loss of income, or have lost their jobs. Although from the ruling party they are optimistic, in the opposition the spirits are different. Even from RN, the deputy Jorge Durán (RN) asked the parliamentarians that “please do not persist in adding more indications, as they will only be more obstacles that will complicate the withdrawal and, therefore, it is not the appropriate signal. Let us not insist on targeting, since it is precisely the fine print that people demand and that does not allow the benefits to reach the population in time ”. Deputy Jorge Alessandri (UDI) said that he agrees with what RN proposes “to insist on the indications that reduce the universe to the people who really need it (…), I think that even though they have been voted against the Commission, you can insist with them in the room, and there will also be other indications that have not passed through the committee, which will probably be presented tomorrow as well.