Increasing the non-contributory benefits by 15% would mean an average of 63 to 70 euros more per month for the beneficiaries and a total benefit of about 205 million for the state
Nearly half a million retirees, precisely the most vulnerable, await with interest the outcome of the announced pact between Minister José Luis Escrivá and Bildu to increase non-contributory benefits by 15%, which the government is now pending. In any case, to be included in the anti-crisis plan. Nearly $500 in additional income is at stake, which would no doubt be an oxygen balloon in a price runaway scenario for a group made up mostly of very low-income women.
Specifically, there are currently 445,069 people receiving a non-contributory pension -according to May data published by Imserso-, of which about 65% are women who have not worked, or at least not long enough to access a non-contributory pension. for which a minimum of 15 years of premium is required.
Unlike non-contributory pensions, there are only two types of non-contributory pensions: retirement, for those who have reached the statutory retirement age (66 years and two months in 2022); and disability, for those who are between the ages of 18 and 65 and have a recognized disability of at least 65%. The beneficiaries, who must be residents on Spanish territory and have a minimum time of ten (retirement) or five years (disability) in the country, may not exceed an annual income of more than 5,890 euros, the same amount against which the non-contributory pension, but the amount increases if you live with other family members.
In total, 264,737 people currently receive a non-contributory old-age pension averaging EUR 421 per month. If the 15% increase agreed with Bildu is finally approved, they will receive just over 63 euros per month extra, 442 euros in total if the seven payrolls they will receive between now and the end of the year (they will be paid in December). another one).
In addition, there are 180,332 disability benefits, with an average amount of EUR 462 per month. The beneficiaries would see their income increase by 70 euros per month from July, to a total of 491 euros by the end of 2022.
The monthly cost to the State of non-contributory pensions is just over 195 million euros, so a 15% increase over the next seven months – Bildu’s pact – would mean an additional payment of almost 25 million.
Despite the fact that the statement sent by Bildu states that the 15% increase would also have consequences for widows, orphans and disability pensions, confusion seems to have arisen here. These pensions are already included in non-contributory pensions and if extended, more than 3.6 million people would benefit from an increase in their payroll and the social security bill would skyrocket. The widows group alone consists of more than 2.3 million women (female because they are the majority) who earn an average of 778 euros per month.
Source: La Verdad
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
