Members of Mexico’s armed forces and their families have specific rights to retirement, pensions and benefits, and the procedures carry short deadlines. Castro Defense advises and represents active and retired members of the Army, Air Force, Navy and National Guard, and their families, across Mexico: retirement, retirement pay (haber de retiro), pensions, lump-sum compensation (compensación) and other benefits from ISSFAM (Instituto de Seguridad Social para las Fuerzas Armadas Mexicanas, the armed forces’ social security institute), as well as objections and lawsuits. The whole process with us is online, useful for families living elsewhere in Mexico or abroad, and follows Mexican law.
No upfront fees: we only get paid if we recover
We do not ask for an advance payment: we only get paid once you recover. Our fees are a percentage of what is actually recovered, set by the complexity of the case. You cover only related costs, such as expert reports or supplies. The terms are set out in the contract you review before signing. We do not promise results.
What benefits does the law provide?
The ISSFAM Law lists benefits including (art. 18):
- Retirement pay, pension and lump-sum compensation.
- Death payments and funeral assistance.
- Work fund, savings fund, life insurance and collective retirement insurance.
- Housing, mortgage and short-term loans.
- Comprehensive medical care and scholarships.
Haber de retiro is the lifetime pay of retired personnel; pensión, the lifetime benefit for family members; and compensación, a single lump-sum payment (art. 21). In certain cases, personnel with five or more but fewer than twenty years of service are entitled to compensation (art. 36).
When does retirement apply?
The law sets these grounds for retirement (art. 24):
- Reaching the age limit for active service (art. 25).
- Becoming disabled in combat, in other acts of service or outside service, as the law provides.
- Being unable to serve due to an illness lasting more than six months, with the possible extension the law allows.
- Requesting it after at least 20 years of service.
What if you disagree with a decision?
- Objection to the Ministry. When the Ministry of National Defense or the Navy notifies its declaration on your retirement, you have 15 business days to object regarding whether retirement applies, your retirement rank and your service count, and you may offer evidence (art. 188). The Ministry then issues a final declaration (art. 193).
- Request for reconsideration. ISSFAM determines whether a benefit applies, its type and its amount (art. 196). Against the provisional resolution of its Board, the service member or family may file a request for reconsideration (recurso de reconsideración) within 15 days of notice (art. 198).
- Lawsuit before the Federal Court of Administrative Justice. Available against final decisions that deny or reduce pensions and other benefits of military personnel or their families. As a general rule, the claim is filed within 30 days of notice and can be handled through the court’s online justice system.
Deadlines are short: if you have received a notice, do not wait to have it reviewed.
How does it work online?
- Case evaluation form. Tell us your situation and, if you have it, attach the decision or notice.
- Document review. A lawyer reviews your case and tells you which route applies and which deadline is running. Response time: 48 calendar hours, or 1 to 4 hours in urgent matters.
- Contract and power of attorney as a PDF. You sign with your e.firma (the advanced electronic signature issued by Mexico’s tax authority, SAT) or another electronic signature. If any step requires a handwritten signature or your presence, we will tell you first.
- Case updates. We report each step. Channel: channel and frequency of updates.
Documents to gather
- Military and official ID, and documents on your active or retired status.
- Service record or service count certificates.
- Notices, declarations and decisions from the Ministry or ISSFAM.
- Where relevant, medical opinions on a disability. These are sensitive data: we will request them separately and only with your written consent.
How to know you are dealing with real lawyers
Attorneys who handle these matters: names and cédula profesional numbers. Verify any professional license in the National Registry of Professionals of Mexico’s Ministry of Public Education. Your data is handled under our privacy notice. See the other areas of our legal defense practice and, if your matter involves a firearm you own, our firearms law advice.
Tell us about your case
This content is for information only and is not legal advice for a specific case. The outcome of any proceeding depends on the facts, the evidence and the authority’s decision; Castro Defense does not guarantee results.
Official sources
- ISSFAM Law (Ley del Instituto de Seguridad Social para las Fuerzas Armadas Mexicanas), arts. 4, 18, 21, 24, 25, 36, 188, 193, 196 and 198. Chamber of Deputies (Spanish).
- Organic Law of the Federal Court of Administrative Justice, art. 3, section VI. Chamber of Deputies (Spanish).
- Federal Law of Contentious Administrative Procedure, art. 13. Chamber of Deputies (Spanish).
- ISSFAM and Federal Court of Administrative Justice (Spanish).
Frequently asked questions
What is haber de retiro?
It is the lifetime retirement pay that retired military personnel are entitled to in the cases and conditions set by the ISSFAM Law (art. 21). A pension (pensión) is the lifetime benefit for family members, and compensación is a one-time lump-sum payment.
How many years of service do I need to request retirement?
One of the grounds for retirement is requesting it after at least 20 years of service. Others include reaching the age limit, becoming disabled and, in certain cases, an illness that prevents service for more than six months (art. 24).
What if I disagree with my service count or retirement rank?
When the Ministry notifies its declaration on your retirement, you have 15 business days to object and offer evidence regarding whether retirement applies, the rank at which you should retire and your service count (art. 188).
Can I sue if my pension or retirement pay is denied or reduced?
Yes. The Federal Court of Administrative Justice hears cases against final decisions that deny or reduce pensions and other benefits of military personnel and their families (Organic Law of the Federal Court of Administrative Justice, art. 3, section VI). As a general rule, the claim must be filed within 30 days of notice, and it can be filed online (Federal Law of Contentious Administrative Procedure, art. 13).
Is the National Guard included?
The ISSFAM Law, as amended on July 16, 2025, defines the permanent armed forces as the Army, Air Force, Navy and National Guard (art. 4). Which benefits apply depends on each person's situation.