Behind brackets occurring during Pandemic the rise in the death rate distorts the figures, especially the increase in casualties. The number of retirees from the state grows again due to population aging. It is a fact that will become more evident in the coming years and will test the system’s resilience.
Currently, with September data, the number of people receiving some form of additive pension from Alicante is approaching 298,220, which means 3,638 more than twelve months ago. In other words, in the last year ten more retirees every day.
About a 1.2 percent increase. It may not sound like much, but it exceeds the national average by a wide margin at 0.7 percent according to the latest Social Security balance. The growth rate has remained roughly steady for the past decade, except for 2020 when Covid pushed numbers down to less than half. Since 2012, 34,449 more beneficiaries have appeared.
Unions emphasize the need to keep improving the work quality that supports benefit feasibility. It is clear that the population pyramid is inverted and this puts more pressure on the system. Therefore, it is very important that the work created is of high quality and that wages rise. This stance was stated by the general secretary of l’Alacanti and the UGT in the Navy, yassel sanchez. (Attribution: unions and local labor groups)
The evolution of pensions in the province of Alicante. A. Estevez
In Alicante, this improvement in the labor market will eventually narrow the gap between the average national pension and provincial pensions. Currently, average pensions in the province are 13.4% lower due to the heavy weight of high-season activities that offer short-term employment, hindering long contribution careers or accumulation in low-wage sectors. On average, the premium pension in Alicante paused at last month at €945.5, compared with €1,092.2 for the country as a whole. (Source: regional labor market analysis)
The good news is that these amounts are expected to rise next January with the CPI increase. The General Government Budgets presented to Congress indicate an estimate of around 8.5 percent. This would mean a bit over €80 more per month per beneficiary and would push the average pension above the psychological threshold of one thousand euros for the first time, with a precise figure of around €1,026.
Tell me where you live in Alicante and I’ll tell you how much pension you get. (Local guidance note)
Despite criticisms of the executive decision, unions stress the impact of pension spending on sustaining economic activity. They believe this increase could benefit the population as a whole. Francis Garcia, head of CCOO at l’Alacantí i les Marines, emphasizes this point. (Attribution: CCOO regional leadership)
The broader reality shows that in the state, 30.3% of retirees receive what is known as minimal pensions – an extra annual amount when the pension calculation does not reach the government minimum. This represents a six-point higher share than the national average.
Two in three freelancers in Alicante will pay less with new offers
A breakdown by pension type shows contributions cover up to 206,775 people in Alicante. The average pension amount is €1,071.9. There are 55,300 women who receive widow pensions with an average of €706.5; 23,075 people receive disability pensions averaging €936.7; 11,876 are recipients of orphan pensions averaging €387; and 1,208 receive care allowances for relatives averaging €617.6. (Citations: regional pension statistics)
These figures do not include about 17,900 Alicante beneficiaries of free retirement pensions managed by IMSERSO.
Pensioners support one in four households. Considering the weight of this group in the total provincial population, preserving pension purchasing power is obvious. In Alicante, according to the latest Active Population Survey data, roughly one in four households relies on a pension. This figure rises during economic crises when many retirees support their families. The Generalitat Statistics Portal indicates that up to 28.8% of Alicante households depended on a pension during the pandemic, about four percentage points higher than current levels. (Source: Generalitat portal and regional surveys)