Spain’s pension system set a new record in September 2026, paying 14,498.2 million euros to cover 10,547,417 pensions. Some retirees now receive more than 3000 euros a month, while the average pension is 1374.6 euros and the average retirement pension 1576.1 euros. The Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration confirmed the figures.
Coal miners top the list. The Minería del Carbón sector pays an average retirement pension of 3005.6 euros per month, more than any other group in Spain. These workers spent years in tough, risky jobs. Their work took place underground and in open pits. They also worked in plants making coke and agglomerated coal. Their pensions reflect the dangers and special rules of the job. Official reports show that the sector consistently leads in pension amounts, ahead of other special regimes.
Most Spanish pensioners receive much less. The General Regime, which covers most workers, pays an average retirement pension of 1734.7 euros. Self-employed workers under RETA receive 1062.8 euros. Maritime workers in the Régimen del Mar average 1741.2 euros, still far below the miners’ figure. These differences are built into Spain’s multi-regime pension system. Leading Spanish media have also pointed to this divide, citing official data.
September’s pension bill was the highest ever. Spain’s aging population is driving costs up. New pensions took about nine days to process, as did widowhood pensions; the legal maximum is 90 days. On paper, the system looks efficient, but the figures also show who benefits. RTVE and other major outlets report that pension spending grew by about 6.3% year on year. Demographics and regular indexation both play a part.
Outside mining, the picture changes. Widowhood pensions averaged 976.3 euros in August. For many, retirement income remains modest. Spain’s pension system has many regimes and sector rules, and outcomes often depend on the job someone had decades ago.
EFE has described miners’ exceptionally high pensions as a long-standing feature of Spain’s system, rooted in historical sectoral privileges and regularly updated through official indexation.
Social Security spending keeps climbing, intensifying debate over fairness and sustainability. The pension system reflects Spain’s economic past. As pressure builds, questions about fairness are likely to grow louder.
