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Microsoft Azure Outage Disrupts AFP Withdrawals in Peru, Extensions Granted
A widespread outage of Microsoft Azure impacted services across Peru, including those of leading pension fund administrators (AFPs) Prima AFP and Habitat, temporarily preventing members from accessing crucial withdrawal options. Though, both companies have implemented measures to ensure affiliates are not left unable to access their funds, extending application deadlines and offering alternative access points.
The disruption, which began on October 29th, affected the ability of dozens of members to request withdrawals of up to 4 UIT (Taxonomic Unit, equivalent to approximately S/21,400).Initially, access was limited to those whose national ID (DNI) number ended in the digit 2.
“Our digital channels and retreat platform have been temporarily affected by a global incident at Microsoft,” a statement from Press AFP revealed. “The service is being progressively restored and we continue working to solve it quickly.”
Responding to the crisis, both AFP companies announced extended hours for applications. Prima AFP and Habitat enabled a special schedule until 11 pm on October 29th. Furthermore, individuals with a DNI ending in 2 were granted an additional opportunity to apply on October 30th, while those with a DNI ending in 3 were able to begin submitting applications today. The Azure outage also impacted other Peruvian entities, including Interbank and its associated applications.
Prima AFP confirmed that its digital channels and withdrawal platform were restored around 6 pm on October 29th, coinciding with the original application deadline. To accommodate those affected, the company extended access. “We tell you the options you have to submit your withdrawal request,” a company release stated. “In Press AFP, your peace of mind is our priority. Thus, if your ID ends in 2, you can register your request: Today until 11:00 pm. Tomorrow at regular hours from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm.”
Crucially, Prima AFP assured affiliates that those registering with a DNI ending in 2 would maintain their original payment date, ensuring no loss of access to funds within the standard 30-day timeframe for the first UIT.
Habitat mirrored this commitment, extending its online withdrawal request schedule – accessible at https://retiro.afphabitat.com.pe/ – until 8 pm on October 29th, with regular hours resuming at 8 am on October 30th. “Due to the interruptions in our digital services, the schedule for requesting withdrawals… will last until 8 pm today,” the company reported. “Those who cannot enter today will be able to do so tomorrow at the usual hours from 8 am to 6 pm.”
While the Azure outage presented immediate challenges for AFP withdrawals, some affiliates have encountered separate issues tracking the status of previously submitted requests. These difficulties, however, are attributed to the internal configuration of the AFP systems themselves, rather than the recent Microsoft Azure disruption.
According to Habitat, members can expect to be able to track their withdrawal requests within 48 business hours of submission. “Within a maximum of 48 business hours after submitting your withdrawal request for up to 4 UIT, you will be able to follow up on it, easily and quickly,” the company stated on Facebook. Each member has a
