In a move aimed at reshaping retirement security for a significant segment of the workforce, the Minister of Participation, Social Security and Immigration, Apple Saiz, announced that starting January the state will begin integrating some of the long-standing contribution gaps faced by domestic workers. These gaps have historically limited their access to a robust pension, as the sporadic and highly biased nature of their careers makes consistent contributions to the Social Security fund challenging. The consequence is a tendency for smaller pensions when retirement comes, a situation that disproportionately affects women in the sector.
During a public address in Madrid, Saiz outlined this policy as one of his first steps to address a clear inequality linked to gender discrimination. He spoke directly to employers and unions, stressing that systemic gaps in contribution history should be recognized and remedied to ensure fair retirement outcomes for these workers. The objective is to strengthen social protection for a group that has long faced financial precarity in old age and to align pension rights with the realities of their employment patterns.
Recent improvements to the social protection framework for this group, which totals 372,087 people currently covered by Social Security according to latest November data, reflect a broader effort to modernize coverage. Since last year, it has been established that workers in this category can qualify for unemployment benefits by contributing to unemployment schemes during periods of work instability. That right, previously unavailable, is now being recognized as part of a more inclusive safety net that supports workers through transitions between jobs and during retirement planning.
During his remarks, Saiz committed to fulfilling an obligation inherited from his predecessor, José Luis Escriva, by enabling private agreements that would allow interns to retroactively pay Social Security contributions for the last five years. This measure would increase their contributions to the national fund, improving their access to unemployment benefits and potentially enhancing eligibility for future retirement benefits. The goal is to create a smoother path from training and internships into secure, contributory protection—even after periods of inactivity—thus reinforcing trust in the pension system.
Saiz also highlighted the ministry’s priority to reform the rules governing partial retirement. This reform has been a lingering item on the agenda since the previous pension reform and is seen as essential to modernizing how retirement can be phased. In the near term, both employers and unions are seeking a one-year extension of the current aid contract arrangements for the manufacturing sector. That extension would provide continuity as the government weighs whether to renew it in the remaining cabinet meetings scheduled before year-end, balancing workforce needs with fiscal considerations while preserving citizens’ access to transitional benefits and future retirement security.
The minister’s remarks underscored a broader commitment to resilience in the social protection system. By addressing recognition of irregular contribution histories and introducing practical steps to consolidate benefits, the policy aims to provide a clearer, more reliable path to retirement for domestic workers. The dialogue with unions and industry groups, including leaders of major unions and business associations, signals a collaborative approach to reform that seeks to protect workers while supporting economic stability across sectors with high employment turnover and episodic work patterns.