Spain Social Security Reforms: Two Pensions Now Possible for Self-Employed, June 05

Spain’s Social Security system now permits self-employed workers and others with plural employment histories to receive two separate retirement pensions at the same time. The change applies to workers who contributed to both the General Regime and the Special Regime for Self-Employed Workers (RETA) for at least 15 years each. This development affects retirement planning for thousands of Spanish workers entering their final working years.

How Dual Pensions Work in Spain

Workers can now collect two independent retirement pensions if they generated separate rights in different Social Security regimes. The system requires contributions to at least two distinct regimes, such as the General Regime and RETA. Each pension is calculated independently based on the contributions and years of service in that specific regime.

Requirements to Qualify for Two Pensions

A worker must have contributed at least 15 years to one regime and 15 years to another. If the worker remains enrolled in both systems at retirement, they only need to prove the minimum periods. If already retired from one regime, they must show that contributions overlapped for a minimum of 15 years during active work. This overlap requirement is the most difficult condition for most applicants to satisfy.

What Changes in 2027 for Early Retirement

Starting January 1, 2027, the ordinary retirement age becomes 67 years for workers without sufficient contribution periods. Workers with longer careers can still retire at 65 years. These age changes also affect early retirement options, as minimum ages for early retirement are calculated based on each worker’s ordinary retirement age. The transition period that began in 2013 ends completely in 2027.

Additional Support Programs Expanding

Spain’s Minimum Living Income (Ingreso Mínimo Vital) now protects over 860,000 households containing more than one million minors. The Social Security administration has also implemented new audit standards focused on quality. Meanwhile, new labor decrees took effect on June 1, 2026, affecting social security contributions and related obligations.

Final Thoughts

Spanish workers with dual employment histories can now plan for two separate pensions if they meet the 15-year contribution threshold in each regime. The 2027 retirement age changes will require careful planning for those approaching retirement.

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