The PP again excludes pensioners from the gateway of mutualists to Social Security for the vote in the Senate

The Spanish conservative party, Popular Party (PP), has once again excluded current retirees from the transitional pathway allowing professionals who have contributed to private mutual insurance schemes to access Spain’s public social security system. This decision comes as the proposed law, often referred to as the "bridge to RETA" (Régimen Especial de Trabajadores Autónomos), faces final approval in the Senate this week. The law aims to enable thousands of self-employed professionals, such as lawyers, architects, and other independent workers, who previously paid into private mutualities to transition their contributions to the general social security regime, thereby qualifying them for more substantial state pensions rather than the minimal benefits offered by these private entities. The bridge to RETA has been a long-standing demand among affected groups, particularly those who have faced significantly reduced pensions, sometimes as low as €300 or €400 per month. These individuals had historically paid into private mutual insurance schemes, which typically offer lower retirement benefits compared to the public system. The proposed legislation would allow them to transfer their accumulated rights from these private systems to the RETA regime, ensuring they can eventually qualify for public pensions based on their total contribution history. Although exact numbers of potential beneficiaries remain unclear, estimates suggest around 100,000 active mutualists could benefit from the bridge. However, the latest amendments introduced by the PP during the Senate's deliberation process have reintroduced restrictions that were previously removed in earlier stages of the legislative process. Specifically, the PP has reinstated the exclusion of already retired individuals from accessing the bridge, with the exception of those receiving widowhood pensions. Additionally, the PP has maintained its stance that only those currently contributing to mutual insurance schemes and having at least 15 years of contributions under the social security system will be eligible for the bridge. This move has drawn criticism from organizations such as the Colegio de la Abogacía de Madrid (ICAM), which views the exclusion of retirees as a step backward. They emphasize that the upcoming vote in the Senate on Thursday is crucial for determining whether the bridge will truly function effectively and provide meaningful relief to those affected. According to ICAM, the text currently being debated in the Senate is not yet finalized, as several pending amendments could still alter key aspects of the proposal, including the eligibility criteria for retirees and those with 15 years of contributions. In addition to the exclusion of retirees, the Senate committee has also restored certain improvements agreed upon in the House of Representatives. One notable change involves the so-called "1x1" rule, which allows mutualists over the age of 52 to count each full month of membership and contributions in their private mutual insurance scheme as one full month of membership in the RETA system when calculating their future pension entitlements. This provision was initially weakened but has since been reinstated. Furthermore, the PP expanded the "1x1" rule to include contributions made before 1995, a period when enrollment in mutual insurance schemes was mandatory for many professions. This adjustment ensures that older contributors, whose careers began during this era, are not disadvantaged in the calculation of their future pensions. The Senate committee has also restored a three-month deadline for the government to finalize the detailed regulations governing the bridge, a provision that had previously been weakened. This timeframe is intended to ensure clarity and consistency in implementing the new measures, providing legal certainty for both the government and the affected professionals. As the bill moves toward final approval, the focus remains on resolving outstanding issues, particularly regarding the inclusion of retirees and those with significant contribution histories. With the Senate set to vote on the matter soon, the outcome will determine how effective the bridge to RETA will be in addressing the concerns of those who have long advocated for greater access to public pensions.