The Mexican Social Security law currently in effect, published in the
Official Journal of the Federation (21 December 1995), is the legislative domain under which the IMSS carries out its operations. Currently the law indicates that Social Security has the following purposes: • Medical assistance • Protection of basic necessities of subsistence • Social services necessary for individual and collective well-being • Giving out a pension which, depending on the completion of the legal prerequisites, will be guaranteed by the State The law contemplates two domains, an "obligatory" one (funded by individual, employer and state contributions), and a "voluntary" one (aimed at workers in household industries and self-employed professionals). The following items are excluded from the base quoted salary: • Tools of trade such as tools and clothing • Savings deposits, when they are made up of a weekly, biweekly or monthly deposit equally from the worker and the employer • Additional voluntary contributions • Contributions to
INFONAVIT • Food and lodging when they are given in an onerous manner • Payments in coin or cash • Rewards for attendance and punctuality • Overtime, within limits established by law ==Further reading==