Social Security has published the latest updated data on contributory pensions in Spain, in which the Government has allocated a total of 13,620.9 million euros, that is, 32.1 million more compared to last month. As usual, more than two thirds of the total corresponds to the retirement pension with 6.6 million pensioners, being followed by the widow’s pension with 2.3 million and those of permanent disability with just over one million members.
Of the 13,620.9 million euros that the Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration has allocated to the payment of pensions, most correspond to retirement pensions, with an expense of 9,955 million. That is followed by widow’s pensions, which were 2,198 million, and those of permanent disability, with 1,253 million. On the other hand, and to a lesser extent, 178.8 million were allocated to orphanage pensions and 36.5 million to the benefits in favor of relatives.
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Now, these are the average figures. As the pension system is dynamic and presents multiple particularities, not all pensioners perceive the same amount. The pension depends fundamentally on the contributions and the years worked, but also varies according to the regime to which it is belonged and, in some cases, according to the province.
The highest average pension
In the general regime, the average retirement pension is at 1,666.56 euros per month, according to the latest data. Now, as usual, autonomous pensioners (those within the special regime of autonomous reta workers), continue to perceive the lowest amounts, with an average of 1,010.3 euros per month, that is, it does not even reach the minimum interprofessional salary.
But if we look at other regimes, the sector with the highest average pension remains that of coal mining, where the amount reaches 2,907.02 euros per month, well above other regimes such as the sea, with an average of 1,669.7 euros per month.
As for the widow’s pension, the average in the system as a whole is 935.8 euros per month. In the case of the orphanhood pension, it is 525.81 euros and that of relatives rises to 782.54 euros.
It should be remembered that coal mining has higher contribution bases than other workers, which explains the upper amount of their pensions. On the other hand, average pensions rise every month due to two factors: on the one hand, the new highs (new pensioners) by having a higher contribution base make the amount greater, since the standard of living is growing, on the other hand, the casualties are usually due to minor amounts, which makes the average gradually increase.
New highs
Until July, Social Security has registered 215,971 new retirement. Of these, 11.4% correspond to delayed retirements, a figure that continues up and more than doubles the percentage of 2019, when they barely represented 4.8%. These data demonstrate how, more and more, workers see with good eyes delay retirement age.
The average system of the system, which encompasses retirement, widowhood, permanent disability, orphanhood and benefits in favor of relatives, is 1,312.9 euros per month, which represents a 4.5% increase in the last year.
In the case of the retirement pension, the average reaches 1,507.5 euros per month, an amount that about 6.5 million people receive, which is equivalent to more than two thirds of the total number of pensioners. Also in this case the interannual growth has been 4.4%.
How many pensions are paid and what kind
In August, Social Security paid 10,374,297 contributory pensions, which reach about 9.4 million people (some charge two pensions at the same time). Of the total beneficiaries, 59.2% of those who receive retirement as the main benefit are men.
The monthly payroll reached 13,620.9 million euros. Of this amount, most correspond to retirement pensions, with 9,955 million euros (73% of total expenditure). Widowhood pensions were allocated 2,197.9 million, while permanent disability were 1,252.6 million. To a lesser extent, 178.8 million were allocated to orphanage pensions and 36.5 million to benefits in favor of relatives.
On the other hand, 1,112,061 pensions incorporate the complement to reduce the gender gap, with 86.2% of women beneficiaries. The average amount of this complement is 75.2 euros per month. According to the number of children, 24.8% correspond to pensioners with a child, 47.8% to those who have two, 18.2% to those who have three and 9.3% to those who have four children.
Less than 10 days to solve a pension application
Social Security takes an average of 7.9 days to resolve a retirement pension application and 9.5 days in the case of widow’s pensions. Both processing times remain well below the maximum legal period of 90 days, established in the regulations for this type of benefits.
Passive classes
In July 2025, the monthly payroll for passive classes pensions amounted to 1,671.6 million euros, which represents an increase of 96.2 million compared to the same month of the previous year, that is, 6.1% more.
The number of pensions in force of this regime reached 725,116, which represents 14,202 pensions rather than in June 2024 and a growth close to 2% per year.
The passive class regime mainly covers military, civil officials of the General State Administration, members of the Administration of Justice and the General Courts, as well as personnel of other constitutional or state bodies. It also includes officials who were transferred to the Autonomous Communities.