The Mexican Institute of Social Security has a legal mandate derived from Article 123 of the Mexican Constitution. Its mission is to be the main instrument of social security in the country, as a public service provider for all workers and their families. The Institute is constitutionally mandated to pursue a continual extension of its beneficiaries, thus contributing to the creation of a welfare state for all Mexicans.
Furthermore, Article 2 of the Social Security Law (SSL) establishes that the purpose of social security is to assure the right to health, medical assistance, livelihood, and the necessary social services for individual and collective well-being. It is also responsible for the provision of pensions guaranteed by the State upon fulfilling all the legal requirements. With this understanding, the Institute provides a range of insurance services, complying with its legal mandates, and above all, procuring tranquility and stability amongst workers and their families in the face of events considered in the SSL. Insurance is offered under the Mandatory or Voluntary Regimes. The benefits, requirements and contributions vary in each regime and are clearly stated in the SSL.
The SSL conceives IMSS as an independent organization divided into two main operative branches: i) as a risk-management institution, and ii) as a service providing entity.
As a risk-management institution:
The Institute administers the various types of insurance provided under the SSL. This role requires the management of contributions and financial resources in order to provide benefits in cash and specie. As a financially independent organization, the Institute must conduct an effective collection while achieving transparency and control over the information emanated.
As a service provider:
The Institute promotes the health of the insured working population, worker's families, pensioners and students through a comprehensive system of services that includes preventive and curative medical services; childcare, and economic and social benefits provided for under the SSL.
