Spain Changes Pension Rules for Mutualistas: Up to 1,200 Euros per Month. Spain has adopted a law paving the way for higher pensions for professionals who have contributed to alternative mutualidades. They can now qualify for payments of up to 1,200 euros if they transfer their service years to the Seguridad Social system.
Professionals who for decades paid contributions not to the state system but to alternative mutualidades now have a chance for a more decent pension. The new law, approved by Congress, allows lawyers, doctors, architects, and other professionals who worked outside the Seguridad Social system to receive benefits of up to €1,200 per month, provided they have at least 38 years of service.
The key change is the introduction of the so-called 'pasarela' in RETA (the regime for autónomos). Now, part of the service period accumulated in a mutualidad can be transferred to the state system. This is especially important for those who previously could only expect a modest €300–700 per month. According to PSOE deputy Javier Alfonso Cendon, the difference can be almost threefold: instead of €450, up to €1,200 per month.
The transfer mechanism requires that the funds accumulated in the mutualidad be mandatorily transferred to Seguridad Social. Service years will then be recalculated based on these funds, and the final pension will depend on the number of 'transformed' years. It is not yet determined when exactly this transfer will occur—when switching systems or only upon retirement. It is also unclear which index will be used for recalculating the amounts: inflation or another indicator. For service calculation, a coefficient of 0.77% will be applied, which will increase the number of years taken into account.
The law applies not only to current workers, but also to those who have already retired. Now even pensioners who previously received payments only from the mutualidad will be able to apply to transfer to the Seguridad Social and claim an increase in their pension. However, there will not be full parity with those who have always contributed to the state system: the so-called 1×1 scheme demanded by associations has not been adopted due to the heavy burden on the budget.
The document will soon be submitted to the Senate, where details of the transition for those already retired may be further clarified. As Talent24h notes, these changes could significantly improve the situation for people who have long received only minimum payments.
Issues of social protection and workers' rights in Spain are regularly the subject of legislative changes. For example, there was a recent discussion about transferring production and jobs from the Lagarto factory in Zaragoza to Toledo — you can learn more about this in the article on the relocation of production of the legendary Lagarto soap.
Experts emphasize that the new scheme does not guarantee an automatic increase in pensions to the level of the Seguridad Social, but gives a real chance for higher payments to thousands of former mutualistas. The final rules and transition details will be known after all the implementing acts are approved.
