[2] The ISSSTE provides assistance in cases of disability, old age, early retirement, and death (or IVCM, for invalidez, vejez, cesantía en edad avanzada, y muerte) to federal workers.

Together with the IMSS, the ISSSTE provides health coverage for between 55 and 60 percent of the population of Mexico.

For example, the state of Tabasco offers its employees retirement, health, and other similar benefits through an agency called Instituto de Seguridad Social del Estado de Tabasco, or "ISSET".

[5] In September 2020, former director of FOVISSSTE José Reyes Baeza Terrazas was accused of embezzling MXN $129 million (US $6.14 million) as part of the estafa maestra [es] ("master scam") scandal.

[6] Like much of Mexico's health care system, the ISSSTE has been the subject of numerous criticisms and allegations, ranging from corruption to a heavy regional bias in favor of major cities with well organized labor unions.