The Government is open to non-professional caregivers being able to advance their retirement

The Government is taking steps to provide non-professional caregivers with the opportunity to retire early, similar to other professions that have particularly challenging working conditions. Minister of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration, Elma Saiz, confirmed this during a session in the Congress of Deputies after receiving a parliamentary question on the matter.

The request was made by Maribel Vaquero, a deputy from the PNV party. She urged the Government to include non-professional caregivers of individuals with high dependency in the list of professions eligible for easier early retirement. Currently, the Government is in talks with unions and employers to redefine this list of professions.

According to Saiz, the Government is making progress in drafting the text and seeking consensus. She emphasized that there are situations that involve significant physical or mental demands, particularly as one ages, and the Government intends to address them as soon as possible.

Saiz added, “Caring for a highly dependent person is an incredibly challenging task, especially if one is also employed. It is an unavoidable challenge, and we are committed to providing a firm and sustainable response that aligns with our society’s current model.”

In Spain, there are approximately 77,401 non-professional caregivers who have formal agreements for providing care. These caregivers are usually family members or close relatives of individuals with high dependence. They are recognized under the dependency law and receive financial support due to the significant amount of time they dedicate to caregiving.

Since April 2019, these caregivers have been contributing to Social Security, entitling them to future pension rights, including retirement benefits. In cases of severe dependency, the state covers 100% of the minimum base (1,323 euros per month in 2024). For less acute dependency, the administration pays a percentage of the minimum base based on the degree of dependency. Non-professional caregivers can also combine their caregiving responsibilities with part-time work or unemployment benefits, but they are unable to work full-time unless their contribution base is lower than the agreed-upon amount in their special agreement with Social Security.

In the process of reform

Negotiations are currently underway for the reform of the catalog of professions that enjoy more favorable reduction coefficients for retirement. The discussions are taking place within the context of social dialogue, but progress has been limited, according to union negotiators present at the meetings.

Statements made by unions following recent meetings highlight the main point of disagreement, which centers around determining the professions that should be eligible for early retirement due to hardship. Carlos Bravo, a representative of CCOO, stated, “There are difficulties in determining which groups have the greatest need.” Technical discussions are now taking place.

Cristina Estévez expressed concerns, saying, “The text has improved significantly, but we still lack specificity regarding hardship. It appears that feminized professions with high levels of hardship, such as housekeepers, dependency assistance, and home help, would continue to be excluded. We do not see the possibility of accepting such a regulation.”