November allocations to SGK rise, with total pension contributions reaching 10,913 million euros
In November, SGK recorded a strong uptick in allocations as pensions absorbed 10,913 million euros in contributions. The year‑on‑year increase in homogeneous terms stood at 4.5 percent, while the figure was 6.1 percent higher than in the same month of 2021, according to the Ministry of Social Security and Immigration.
Under the leadership of José Luis Escrivá, pension spending reached 11.7 percent of GDP in November. This ratio remains below the 2020 level of 12.4 percent and the 2021 level of 12.1 percent, reflecting the pandemic’s ongoing impact on economic output.
Alongside the regular payslip, Social Security issued an extraordinary salary disbursement of 10,649 million euros for November.
In October this year, 9,975,234 contributory pensions were paid, marking a 0.77 percent rise from the previous year. Of all pensions, more than 6.28 million are standard pensions and 2.35 million are widow pensions.
Average pension up 5.3 percent
The average pension in November reached 1,258.8 euros per month, up 5.3 percent from the same month a year earlier. The system’s overall average monthly pension, which covers pensions, permanent disability, widowhood, orphanage, and benefits for relatives, also climbed 5.3 percent year over year to 1,094.02 euros per month as of November 1.
Pensions administered to 6.2 million people remain the main benefit
November saw just over nine million retirees receive 9,975,234 contributory pensions, a 0.77 percent increase from the prior year. Among total pensions, 6.28 million are standard pensions, 2.35 million pertain to widowhood, 948,664 are permanent disability, 340,641 relate to orphans, and 44,634 are pensions in favor of relatives.
Of the total retiree pool, 9,036,457 individuals were registered as of November 1, with 4.6 million men and 4.4 million women. The average number of pensions per retiree stands at 1.1.
The most common pension type is the standard pension for 6.2 million people, of whom 60.7 percent are men. The widow pension is the main benefit for 1.6 million people, with 95.9 percent of recipients being women. Permanent disability is the main retirement salary for 943,344 pensioners, while 323,371 individuals receive orphan benefits and 43,905 receive pensions in favor of relatives.
Average pension up 5.3 percent again
The November average pension rose by 5.3 percent year over year to 1,258.8 euros per month. The General Plan average stands at 1,406.4 euros per month, compared to 837.9 euros for the Self‑Employed Scheme. Average monthly pensions in Coal Mining reach 2,453.7 euros, while those in the Maritime sector average 1,397.4 euros.
The average amount for new pension enrollments rose to 1,390.4 euros per month in October, based on latest data, while November’s widow’s pension averaged 781.2 euros per month, up 5.2 percent from the previous year. The overall rise in pensions continues to reflect the structure of retirement types, with both standard and special schemes posting gains as of November 1.
In the first 11 months of the year, 282,102 retirements and 125,831 widow cases were processed. The Ministry notes an average resolution time of 21.8 days for retirement cases and 20.27 days for widowhood cases. The law sets the maximum resolution period for both retirement and widow’s pensions at 90 days.
Passive classes and the state regime
As of October end, the number of active pensions under the passive classes totaled 690,790, up 1.7 percent from the same month in 2021, with an associated value of 1,348.4 million euros. The State Passive Class Regime primarily includes military personnel, General State Administration officials, Justice Administration staff, General Courts members, and other constitutional or state bodies, including those delegated to autonomous communities.
Gender gap supplement reaches over 364,000 retirees
As of November 1, 364,871 retirees received a gender gap supplement designed to progressively narrow the difference between average male and female pensions. The typical monthly amount of this supplement is 61.3 euros for 92.8 percent of women. Of the total months added, 21.6 percent correspond to retirees with children, 47.2 percent to those with two children, 20 percent to those with three children, and 11.2 percent to those with four children.
The supplement, in effect since February of the previous year, consists of a fixed 28 euros per month per child, applicable from the first child up to a maximum of four and requested at the same time as the pension application.