The events of recent days have come as a real shock for millions of Spanish pensioners. The Congress’s decision not to support the decree on pension increases for 2026 instantly sparked a wave of concern among citizens who had been counting on the promised rise in payments. This issue affects not only the elderly but also their families, as the stability of pensions determines the well-being of a vast number of households across the country.
In December of last year, Pedro Sánchez’s government approved during its final Council of Ministers meeting a pension increase: 2.7% for everyone receiving retirement benefits, and more than 7% for minimum pensions. For those supporting a spouse or receiving survivor benefits with dependents, the increase reached 11.4%. Disability pensions and payments under the Ingreso Mínimo Vital (IMV) program were also raised.
Parliamentary deadlock
However, to take effect, these measures required the Congress’s approval. During the vote, most deputies from the Partido Popular (PP), Vox, Junts, and UPN voted against, leading to the rejection of the decree. The result: 171 votes in favor and 178 against. The reasons for this decision turned out to be less straightforward. Although PP and Junts support the idea of raising pensions, they strongly disagree with bundling this issue together with other social initiatives, especially measures protecting families from eviction in difficult circumstances. According to the opposition, these provisions could encourage illegal occupation of housing.
A similar situation occurred a year ago, when after a wave of criticism, the PP leader was forced to change his stance and pensioners ultimately received the promised increase. Now, the intrigue remains: what will happen next if a compromise is not reached again?
Payments in Doubt
At present, the January pensions have already been paid with the increase, and recipients have not noticed any changes. However, if a new decree is not adopted soon, the amounts will revert to the 2025 level starting in February. This applies not only to pensioners, but also to recipients of other social benefits that were included in the rejected document.
Particular concern surrounds the fate of the so-called ‘social shield’—measures aimed at protecting the most vulnerable from eviction. More than 60,000 people may be left without alternative housing if these provisions are not reinstated. The government has not yet announced a clear strategy to resolve the current situation, and the Minister for Social Protection, Elma Saiz, emphasized that responsibility for the failed vote lies with the opposition parties.
Possible Scenarios
Among the options being discussed are resubmitting the decree for consideration, but without the controversial social clauses, or trying again to combine all measures in a single document, hoping the opposition’s stance will shift. PP and Junts have also registered their own bills to raise pensions, but their review may take longer.
If no compromise is reached before the next payment, the government still has the option to make a retroactive decision so that pensioners receive the missing amounts later. This scenario has already occurred in the past, but it always brings uncertainty and anxiety among recipients.
Public response
Public dissatisfaction and anxiety are growing. Pensioners, their families, and organizations defending the rights of the elderly are demanding immediate and transparent solutions from politicians. On social media and in the streets of major cities, there is debate about how political discord could jeopardize the financial stability of millions of Spaniards.
For now, all that remains is to wait: either parliament finds a compromise, or the country faces another wave of protests and discontent. The pension issue has once again become a litmus test for Spain’s political system.
