By Decree No. 246/11, in December 2011, the national Government implemented a credit programme for retirees and pensioners called ARGENTA. This allows seniors to obtain loans that are repaid in 12, 24 or 40 instalments at the lowest market rates: the Total Annual Effective Financial Cost ranges from 31 to 35 per cent according to the number of instalments.

The programme offers two kinds of loans. First, using their ARGENTA card retirees and pensioners can request loans to acquire specific products or can withdraw up to 50 per cent of the loan in cash. They also enjoy special benefits such as major discounts on retail prices: reductions can reach 40 per cent in supermarkets, domestic electrical stores, construction, clothing, footwear and pharmacies, inter alia. They also enjoy access to a programme of exclusive benefits with discounts and special promotions on food, shows, travel, leisure and personal health.

The second type of loans is for the purchase of air travel through the national airline, Aerolíneas Argentinas, and tourist packages to various destinations in the country.