21/07/2026 15:05 - Economia
On July 20, 2026, the Argentine government published Decree 610/2026 in the Boletín Oficial (the official gazette of the Argentine Republic). The decree was signed by President Javier Milei, Minister of Defense Carlos Alberto Presti, and Cabinet Chief Diego Santilli. This regulation establishes a new degree-based supplement for the Armed Forces, addressing a historic demand to align military benefits with those of other state workers.
The measure updates the Military Personnel Law No. 19.101 and introduces a fundamental change: the academic training bonus is no longer exclusive to the professional officer corps. It is now democratized, reaching all ranks and scales that can certify higher education studies.
According to reports from local media such as Infobae and La Voz, the percentage received depends on the level of education achieved:
Official sources indicated that, depending on the rank, this additional payment could represent a net monthly improvement of between $300,000 and $400,000 Argentine pesos for the beneficiary. Furthermore, the benefit extends to retired personnel and pensioned family members, provided the academic requirements were met before retirement.
While this supplement represents significant progress in professionalization, the salary landscape of the Armed Forces still faces important challenges. According to a report by BAE Negocios, Joint Resolution 35/2026 detailed the salary scales for June, July, and August 2026.
For context, the INDEC (National Institute of Statistics and Census) set the Total Basic Food Basket (CBT) at $1,531,472.91 Argentine pesos for a standard family in June. High-ranking officers, such as a Lieutenant General or Admiral, earn $3,237,096 pesos, well above the poverty line. However, the lowest ranks, such as a 2nd Class Volunteer, earn $703,322 pesos, placing them below the poverty threshold and near the indigence line.
The Chiefs of the General Staffs of each Force will be responsible for determining which degrees are considered 'of interest,' evaluating their affinity with the tasks performed by the personnel. If an individual holds more than one degree, only the highest level of education will be recognized.
Degrees must be officially recognized by the Higher Education Law, the Technical-Professional Education Law, or the National Education Law. Once the documentation is presented and validated by the competent authority, the payment will become effective starting the first day of the following month.
This step sends a message of encouragement to those who dedicate their lives to national defense and seek constant improvement through education. Professionalization is the path toward a more prosperous future for the Armed Forces.
Alfredo S. Quiroga
