In Spain, the issue of revising the conditions for the self-employed who contribute more to the social security system than their actual income has once again been raised. Despite the reform that came into force almost three years ago, tens of thousands of entrepreneurs continue to pay more than legally required. Many of them deliberately do not request refunds for overpaid amounts, hoping for higher retirement benefits in the future.
However, current legislation limits the contribution base to the level set back in 2022. This creates a kind of cap that prevents those wishing to increase their future pension payments from doing so legally. Authorities are now considering the possibility of gradually raising this limit to allow the self-employed to adjust their contributions according to their actual income and future plans.
The Ministry of Social Protection has already presented business associations with a draft amendment that proposes not only an update to the contribution base, but also an increase in the refund amount for those combining self-employment with salaried work. The agency has also suggested revising the calculation method for reduced rates so they would depend on the minimum wage.
The discussion of the new rules sparked a lively response among self-employed representatives. Some believe the proposed measures could be a step forward, but note that much work remains on the details. In particular, there is debate over how the new thresholds will be determined and how this will affect future pension amounts. Additional consultations and possible adjustments to the proposed changes are expected in the coming months.
