Permanent disability continues to be one of the great benefits of the pension system, although it often takes a backseat to retirement or widowhood. However, its economic and social weight is very relevant. As of March 1, 2026, Social Security paid 1,060,220 permanent disability pensions, with an average amount of 1,254.31 euros per month.
Altogether, this represents a monthly payroll close to 1,329.8 million euros, which confirms that permanent disability continues to occupy a prominent position within the system. This is not a minor benefit. Behind these figures are more than a million people who have seen their ability to work reduced or canceled and whose economy depends on this pension.
The general photograph also leaves another important information. Total permanent disability continues to be, by far, the most numerous modality. Of the more than 1.06 million pensions, 682,621 correspond to total permanent disability, which is equivalent to more than six out of ten. Behind them are absolute permanent disability, with 340,584 pensions, and great disability, with 35,195.
The average permanent disability pension remains at 1,254.3 euros
The average amount of the permanent disability pension stood at 1,254.31 euros per month in March. It is a figure that changes clearly depending on the recognized degree. A person with total permanent disability does not earn the same as another person with absolute or great disability.
The data show that major disability reaches an average of 2,589.80 euros per month, while absolute permanent disability stands at 1,529.10 euros. In the case of total permanent disability, the average drops to 1,050.19 euros.
Within this last category there are also differences. The average pension for non-qualified total permanent disability is 874.44 euros, while that for qualified disability rises to 1,231.46 euros. Furthermore, the distribution between both modalities is very balanced, with 346,593 non-qualified pensions and 336,028 qualified ones.
Madrid exceeds the national average in permanent disability
In the case of the Community of Madrid, Social Security pays 99,019 permanent disability pensions, with an average pension of 1,356.10 euros per month. This places the region clearly above the national average, with a difference of 101.79 euros per month per pension.
Translated into expenditure, the monthly permanent disability payroll in Madrid is around 134.3 million euros, which is equivalent to more than 1,611 million euros per year if that level of payment is maintained for twelve months.
Madrid is not the community with the highest number of permanent disability pensions, since that place is occupied by Andalusia, but it is among the territories with the highest average amounts. Its position responds to higher salary trajectories and contribution bases higher than those of much of the country.
Furthermore, within the structure of permanent disability in Madrid, the weight of absolute permanent disability stands out, which represents around 35.1% of the regional total, a higher proportion than that of many other communities.
Andalusia leads by volume, but Madrid stands out by quantity
If the total number of permanent disability pensions is analyzed, Andalusia tops the list with 227,792. Catalonia appears next, with 169,315, the Valencian Community, with 104,429, and the Community of Madrid, with 99,019.
Now, the map changes when the average amount is observed. In that case, the highest amounts are concentrated in the north of the country. The Basque Country registers an average pension of 1,587.76 euros, Navarra reaches 1,486.55 euros and Asturias stands at 1,409.68 euros. Madrid, with its 1,356.10 euros, is also among the communities with the highest benefits.
By province, the highest average amounts correspond to Gipuzkoa, with 1,626.45 euros, Álava, with 1,578.87 euros, and Bizkaia, with 1,568.53 euros. In this comparison, Madrid remains above the state average, although below the Basque-Navarrean territories.
Total permanent disability continues to be the most common
One of the clearest features of the system is that total permanent disability accounts for the majority of pensions. In absolute terms, it represents 64.4% of the total. This reflects that, in most cases, the affected person is disqualified from their usual profession, but not necessarily from all work activities.
Absolute permanent disability, for its part, represents 32.1% of the total, while severe disability barely exceeds 3.3%. Even so, this last modality is the one with the highest average amount, since it incorporates the supplement intended for those who need help from another person for the essential acts of daily life.
Men concentrate more pensions and earn more on average
The analysis by sex also leaves important differences. Of the total permanent disability pensions, 650,280 correspond to men and 409,940 to women. This means that men account for just over 61% of the total.
The gap is also seen in the average amount. Men receive an average pension of 1,318.16 euros, compared to 1,153.02 euros for women. The difference exceeds 165 euros per month.
This distance is even more visible in some specific modalities, especially in qualified total permanent disability, where the gap between men and women exceeds 300 euros per month.
The regimes with the most permanent disability and those that pay the most
The majority of permanent disability pensions are concentrated in the General Regime, with 819,349 pensions, followed by the Special Regime for Self-Employed Workers, with 125,076, and by pensions derived from work accidents, with 92,692.
However, when the weight that permanent disability has within each regime is observed, the picture changes. In pensions derived from work accidents, permanent disability represents 45.6% of the total of the scheme. In occupational diseases, the percentage exceeds 40%. This shows the strong impact that professional contingencies continue to have on this type of benefits.
Regarding the average amount, the highest is recorded in coal mining, with 2,101.30 euros, followed by work accidents, with 1,423.61 euros, and occupational diseases, with 1,366.42 euros. On the opposite side are the self-employed, whose average permanent disability pension remains at 977.65 euros, well below the system average.
A benefit with a strong economic and social impact
Although permanent disability does not have the same public visibility as retirement, its figures show that it is a central benefit within the system. More than one million pensions and almost 1,330 million euros per month place this aid in a very relevant budgetary dimension.
In communities like Madrid, furthermore, the benefit has an average amount higher than that of the national group, which confirms the existence of strong territorial differences based on salaries, contribution bases and structure of the labor market.
In short, permanent disability continues to be a key piece of social protection in Spain. And in the case of Madrid, it does so with almost 100,000 pensions and with an average amount that clearly exceeds the state average.