New rules for domestic workers, pensions and energy

Automatic summary, not yet reviewed

1. It sets a new scale of contribution bases for domestic workers in 2013, with fewer brackets than before, and provides for updating it each year in line with the minimum wage from 2014 to 2018.
2. Domestic workers who work less than 60 hours a month per employer may, if they agree with the employer, take on the tasks of registering and paying Social Security contributions, including the employer's share. Contribution benefits for employers will not apply in that case.
3. Pensions rise by 1% in 2013, and by 2% for those not exceeding 1,000 euros a month or 14,000 euros a year. Minimum pension amounts and the rules for minimum top-ups are also set, including income requirements and situations of a spouse who is or is not dependent.
4. The entry into force of the early retirement and partial retirement reforms in Law 27/2011 is suspended for three months, so the rules in force on December 31, 2012 apply.
5. The orphan's pension rule is corrected so that orphans with a disability of 33% or more do not face the gradual increase in the age limit, and are treated the same as full orphans.
6. In the electricity sector, 2012 settlement imbalances will count as system deficit and may be assigned to the Electricity Deficit Securitization Fund, and special regime facilities not finished on time may lose their guaranteed pay scheme. In addition, the maximum price of bottled gas is kept until March 1, 2013.

Who it affects

• Domestic workers and their employers: Contribution bases change and, if they work less than 60 hours a month per employer, the worker can take charge of registration and paying contributions.
• Retirees and pensioners: Their pensions rise by 1% in 2013, or 2% for lower amounts, and minimum amounts and top-ups are set.
• People near early or partial retirement: The reforms to these options are suspended for three months and the previous rules apply.
• Orphans with disabilities: They keep the age limit for the orphan's pension without the gradual increase.
• Electricity and bottled gas consumers: A rise in electricity access charges is avoided and the maximum price of gas bottles is frozen until March 2013.

Words worth knowing

Base de cotización (contribution base)

The amount on which Social Security contributions are calculated.

Complemento por mínimos (minimum top-up)

Money added to a low pension to reach the minimum amount set by law.

Jubilación anticipada (early retirement)

Retiring before the legal age, usually with a reduced pension.

Pensión de orfandad (orphan's pension)

A pension paid to children when their father or mother dies.

Régimen económico primado (guaranteed pay scheme)

A guaranteed price paid to certain energy facilities for the electricity they produce.

It summarizes the law as published in the BOE. It is written by artificial intelligence and may contain mistakes: the official text is what counts. Read the official text · How we make summaries