Retired workers in Spain’s Minería del Carbón sector receive an average pension of 3,005.7 euros a month, more than double the average across all pension types. The Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration says the figures reflect wide differences between groups.
Spain’s Social Security system covers 10,547,417 pensions for more than 9.5 million people. Most are retirement pensions, almost 6.8 million. The rest cover widowhood and permanent disability, alongside orphanhood and family support. The average pension across all types is 1,374.6 euros, up 4.6% from last year. In September 2026, monthly spending on contributory pensions reached a record 14.5 billion euros, up 6.3% from the previous year, the Ministerio de Inclusión, Seguridad Social y Migraciones reported.
The Régimen General covers most salaried workers, whose average pension is 1,734.7 euros a month. Self-employed people in the Régimen Especial de Trabajadores Autónomos receive an average of 1,062.8 euros. At 1,741.2 euros, the average for maritime workers in the Régimen del Mar is slightly higher. Miners top all groups, with an average of 3,005.7 euros.
New retirees who entered the system in August received an average of 1,711.4 euros. The average widowhood pension in July was 976.3 euros. These figures reflect Spain’s varied workforce and the impact of legacy sector agreements and contribution rules.
Retirement patterns are changing. By August 2026, 247,161 new retirement pensions had been granted; 11.6% were voluntary delayed retirements, up 6.8 percentage points since 2019. New incentives introduced in 2022 reward people who postpone retirement, while the legal rules for early retirement have also changed. Independent analysts say people who delay retirement can choose a pension supplement or a lump-sum payment, with the option to combine the two.
Spain’s statutory retirement age is gradually rising. In 2026, it stands at 66 years and 10 months for people without a sufficient contribution history, while those with long careers can still retire at 65. Further increases to 67 are planned as part of ongoing reforms, Democrata reports.
The average retirement age has risen to 65.4 years, from 64.4 in 2019. Nearly 69% of new retirees now leave work at the standard legal age, reflecting new policies and shifting views on work and retirement. Processing times have also improved: in August, the average claim took 8.53 days, well below the 90-day legal limit.
Spain’s pension system faces growing demographic and financial strain as it pays out more than 10.5 million pensions each month. Changes in one sector can ripple through the wider system and public policy.
The gap between miners’ pensions and those of other groups remains clear. Some groups, including miners, benefit from legacy sector arrangements, while the self-employed receive less. More people are delaying retirement in response to new incentives and changing circumstances. The challenge is to make pensions fair and adequate for everyone.
