Panama’s primary consumer protection authority has documented hundreds of cases this year where businesses failed to provide legally mandated discounts to retirees and seniors. The National Authority for Consumer Protection and Defense of Competition, known as Acodeco, received 436 formal complaints between January and October 2025 related to breaches of a key protective law.
These violations specifically concern Law 6 of 1987, which grants financial benefits to retirees, pensioners, and individuals over a certain age. The law provides discounts on a wide range of services, from restaurant meals to airfare, for women aged 55 and over and men aged 60 and over.
Breakdown of Reported Violations
According to data from the agency’s Investigation Department, the most common infraction involved businesses ignoring the mandated preferential interest rates for seniors. Officials recorded 125 such cases. Another 95 complaints centered on establishments refusing to apply the 25 percent discount on restaurant bills.
Other frequent issues included a lack of visible signage advertising the benefits, noted in 81 reports. Fifty-eight cases involved lenders not offering special interest rates on personal and commercial loans. Fast-food franchises ignoring a 15 percent discount prompted 18 complaints, while nine cases involved airlines not validating the 25 percent airfare discount.
An additional 359 reports flooded into the agency through November via its various public channels. Of that total, 255 again concerned the 25 percent restaurant discount. Thirty-seven targeted fast-food franchises, and 19 involved hotels and motels. Fourteen reports cited airlines, 11 involved pharmacies not applying a 20 percent medicine discount, and eight concerned intercity bus companies denying a 30 percent fare reduction.
Official Response and Enforcement Process
Acodeco has a defined procedure for handling these complaints. Agency representatives prepare an initial report upon receiving a claim. That document is then forwarded to the Verification Department, which conducts inspections at the business in question.
Inspectors confirm the violation and file an official report. This action initiates a formal process requiring the business owner to present a defense. The consumer protection agency encourages beneficiaries to first address the issue directly with a store manager. If that fails, individuals should file a report with Acodeco.
“We recommend that beneficiaries first claim their right before the person in charge of the establishment,” an Acodeco official stated. [Translated from Spanish] “If they do not receive a solution, they should report the case to Acodeco, keeping invoices, photos, or any evidence.”
Complaints can be filed anonymously. The public can use the virtual assistant Sindi, available 24 hours a day on WhatsApp and Telegram at 6330-3333. Other channels include the agency’s social media accounts and its official website.
Clarifying Legal Benefits for Seniors
Acodeco officials also took time to clarify the actual scope of the law. They reiterated that citizens must understand which discounts are legally required. Some common public requests, like reductions for cable television or internet service, are not included under Law 6 of 1987.
The agency reminded both public and private service companies of their obligation to maintain an exclusive service window for retirees and seniors. Acodeco also invited more commercial establishments to voluntarily adopt this preferential treatment as a standard business practice, even beyond the legal requirements.
This enforcement push coincides with broader national attention on heritage and community. Panama recently saw one of its historical sites, a traditional “quincha” house, added to the UNESCO World Heritage in Danger list, highlighting efforts to preserve structures significant to its cultural identity.
The volume of complaints suggests awareness of senior discount rights is growing. It also indicates persistent non-compliance within some sectors of the Panamanian economy. Acodeco’s public data release serves as a warning to businesses and a guide for eligible citizens seeking the benefits they are owed by law.