Social Security pays pensions in arrears, between April 1 and 4 in the case of March, but most banks advance the payment between five and eight days before the end of the month. In March 2026, with the 31st falling on a Tuesday, so advance payments will be concentrated between Monday the 23rd and Wednesday the 25th.
These would be the pension collection dates according to the banking entity:
- Monday, March 23: Bankinter, Unicaja
- Tuesday, March 24: CaixaBank, Santander, ImaginBank
- Wednesday, March 25: BBVA, Sabadell, ING, Abanca, Ibercaja, Cajamar, Kutxabank, Openbank
Clarify that these are estimated dates, so they may vary depending on the bank. If your bank does not appear on this list, the deposit will arrive around the 25th or between April 1 and 4 at the latest.
Why banks advance payment
Banks can anticipate the income thanks to the single centralized account of the General Treasury of Social Security (TGSS). This account makes available to entities, several days in advance, the list of beneficiaries and the exact amounts to be paid. The advance is voluntary, not mandatory, but all large entities apply it systematically to facilitate liquidity for their pensioner clients.
In this month of March there is no extraordinary pay. The two extra annual payments are paid in June (summer) and in November (Christmas), along with the ordinary monthly payroll. In both cases, the amount is equivalent to the monthly pension.
Has your pension not arrived on the expected date?
If the estimated day passes and the income does not appear, you must wait for the next business day before doing anything. Holidays and weekends shift payment to the next business day. If after three business days from the official Social Security date (April 1) the money has not been received, it is advisable to contact the bank directly to verify if there is any incident in the direct debit, or with the National Social Security Institute (INSS) if the pension registration is recent.
Pensioners who receive payment for the first time in a month have a different date: the payment occurs on the last business day of the due month, in this case Monday, March 30, not the day of the usual advance.
How many pensions are paid in March
According to data from the Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration, Social Security currently manages more than 13 million benefits for 9.4 million pensioners throughout Spain. In 2026, pensions have revalued by an average of 2.7% according to the CPI, while minimum pensions have increased by 7%. The maximum pension amounts to 3,359.60 euros per month (Royal Decree-Law 3/2026, of February 3).