Improvements and changes to Social Security benefits and pensions

Automatic summary, not yet reviewed

1. For temporary disability, if you are discharged medically and disagree, you can object to the medical inspection within four calendar days, with set deadlines to resolve the disagreement. Also, when the maximum 18-month period runs out, the assessment of permanent disability can be delayed for up to 24 months from the start.
2. For permanent disability, the minimum contribution period is made more flexible for younger workers, and the way pensions from common illness are calculated changes to bring it closer to the retirement calculation. The severe disability supplement is also changed, and a minimum of 55 % of the minimum contribution base is set for total disability from common illness.
3. For retirement, to meet the minimum 15-year contribution period only actual contribution days count, without extra pay periods. Early retirement requirements are regulated (age 61, 30 years of contributions, involuntary job loss, with reductions of between 6 % and 7.5 % per year missing until 65), and benefits improve for those who work past 65, with an extra 2 % per year (3 % with 40 years of contributions) or a lump sum if they already receive the maximum pension.
4. Partial retirement now generally requires being 61 years old, 6 years of seniority at the company and 30 years of contributions, with work schedule reductions between 25 % and 75 %. The replacement worker's contribution base cannot be lower than 65 % of that of the worker retiring partially. These requirements apply gradually over several years.
5. On death and survival, the widow's pension is recognized for unmarried partners who prove a stable, well-known cohabitation of at least five years and economic dependence. In case of divorce or separation, the right depends on the compensatory pension ending due to the death, and 40 % of the base is guaranteed to the surviving spouse when there are several beneficiaries. A two-year temporary widow's benefit is also created when the marriage lasted less than a year.
6. Other measures are introduced: unemployed people over 52 contribute for retirement on 125 % of the minimum base; workers on leave for a work-related condition who lose their job keep receiving the benefit without using up unemployment benefits; early retirements granted before 2002 are improved; and a housing supplement is planned for non-contributory pensioners who pay rent for their home.

Who it affects

• Employees: Rules change for temporary and permanent disability, early retirement and partial retirement.
• Unmarried partners: They can get the widow's pension if they prove five years of cohabitation and economic dependence.
• Separated or divorced people: Their widow's pension depends on the compensatory pension ending due to the death.
• Unemployed people over 52: They contribute for retirement on a higher base while receiving the subsidy.
• Pensioners living alone who pay rent: They are granted a housing supplement on non-contributory pensions.

Words worth knowing

Incapacidad temporal (temporary disability)

A situation where a worker cannot work due to illness or accident and receives a benefit while recovering (sick leave).

Base reguladora (regulatory base)

An amount calculated from the worker's contributions, on which a percentage is applied to set the pension.

Contrato de relevo (replacement contract)

A contract with an unemployed person to cover the hours given up by a worker who takes partial retirement.

Coeficiente reductor (reducing coefficient)

A percentage that reduces the pension when someone retires before the standard age.

Pensión compensatoria (compensatory pension)

Money a court may order in a divorce for the spouse left in a worse financial situation.

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