---
title: "CEPANIM sets official payment date for long-awaited moratorium interest refunds"
date: 2026-04-11
author: ""
url: https://panamadaily.news/cepanim-official-payment-date/
categories:
  - "Economy"
  - "News"
tags:
  - "CEPANIM"
  - "labor benefits"
  - "Panama workers"
  - "payment date"
  - "thirteenth month"
---

# CEPANIM sets official payment date for long-awaited moratorium interest refunds

## What Happened

Panama’s CEPANIM has set an official payment date for the return of moratorium interest linked to the withholding of the second installment of the thirteenth month payment between 1983 and 2017. The measure addresses interest generated by years of delayed access to funds tied to this labor benefit.

The process also includes a system for scheduling appointments, giving affected workers a formal path to begin the collection process. The announcement places the long-running issue of deferred payments back in focus for thousands of people who were impacted over several decades.

## Why It Matters

The thirteenth month is one of the best-known labor benefits in Panama, and disputes over its payment have carried financial consequences for workers across the country. A structured refund process for moratorium interest is significant because it acknowledges the cost of those delays and provides a mechanism for repayment.

For former and current workers who were affected by the second installment withholding, the payment plan may represent an important step toward closure after years of waiting. It also highlights the broader role of labor enforcement and administrative accountability in Panama’s employment system.

## Background

The second part of the thirteenth month is a recurring labor obligation in Panama, and any interruption or delay in its delivery can affect household finances immediately. When payments are withheld over long periods, interest can accumulate, creating a separate obligation that must be addressed later.

CEPANIM’s move to establish a payment date and appointment system gives the refund process a clearer structure. That kind of administrative organization is often essential in large repayment programs, especially when claims may span many years and involve a wide range of eligible beneficiaries.

## What Workers Should Watch

A formal appointment system usually helps reduce confusion and congestion during payment procedures. It also allows the responsible office to manage cases in an orderly way, which can be important when many people may be seeking access to the same benefit.

For workers and retirees who believe they are covered, the key issue is to follow the official scheduling process and keep documentation related to employment and payment history. The announcement signals that the repayment process is moving into an active stage, with a defined date and method for organizing claims.