He temporary disability expensewhich covers sick leave due to illness or accident, reached 4,642 million euros until March 2026, which marks a growth of 14.4% year-on-year according to data published by the Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration directed by Elma Saiz.
The report sent to the media also analyzes the spending on contributory pensions of Social Security, where those with permanent disability are also found. This investment has been 40,919 million euros in the period reflected above, marking a year-on-year increase of 5.8% according to official data.
Social Security, in addition, recorded a positive balance of 3,422 million euros until March 2026, equivalent to 0.2% of GDP, thanks to the sustained growth in contribution income, which offset the increase in spending on benefits, according to budget execution data.
And it is that the social contributions they reached the 46,715 million euroswhich represents 7.8% more than in the same period of the previous year, with an absolute increase of 3,396 million. This progress is mainly supported by the evolution of the contributions of employed workers, which grew by 8%, to 29,350 million.
More jobs to boost incomes
The dynamism of the labor market continues to be the main driver of the system’s accounts. By regime, the General Regime concentrated the majority of the income, with 23,723 million euros, while the special regimes such as self-employed, maritime and mining contributed 2,428 million.
To this income we must add the contributions of the unemployed, which rise to 1,773 million euros, 3.8% more than in the same period last year, and the State transfers, which add up to 10.5% to 11,038 million euros.
Also taken into account is the MEI (Intergenerational Equity Mechanism) which has generated 1,417 million euros, 29.5% more to reinforce the Reserve Fund in the face of future demographic tensions.
Spending increases due to pensions and sick leave
Expenditure continues to maintain an upward trend due to economic benefits to families and institutions, which amounted to 51,881 million euros (7.5% more), which translates into 94.7% of the system’s total expenditure.
Here, the majority corresponds to contributory pensions with 40,919 million euros (increase of 5.8%). The increase responds to the growth in the number of pensions, improvement of the average pension and the revaluation applied in the month of January 2026.
However, one of the most dynamic items is temporary disability (sick off work), whose expenditure rose by 14.4%, to 4,642 million euros, well above the average rate of the system. Also noteworthy are benefits for birth and care of minors and other family aid, which grew by 20.8%, up to 1,337 million.
Non-contributory pensions grow
The non-contributory area is also experiencing significant growth. Benefits of this type, which include minimum supplements, reached 4,791 million euros, 13.7% more, driven by the 11.4% revaluation applied in 2026.
Of this amount, 2,938 million correspond to non-contributory pensions and supplements, while 1,852 million are allocated to subsidies and other benefits, including the Minimum Living Income.
In global terms, non-financial income amounted to 58,217 million euros, compared to expenses of 54,795 million, which explains the surplus recorded in the first quarter of the year.