Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Intergenerational Solidarity in the Spanish Social Security System

  • Conference paper
  • First Online:
Solidarity Across Generations

Part of the book series: Ius Comparatum - Global Studies in Comparative Law ((GSCL,volume 49))

  • 264 Accesses

Abstract

The Spanish social protection system is impregnated by the principle of intergenerational solidarity. Its Social Security is based on the pay-as-you-go model, having introduced parametric reforms that try to compensate the generational imbalance, such as the ‘sustainability factor’ and ‘automatic balancing mechanism’. The contributory pension system maintains a high replacement rate of asset income (approximately 75%), with significant coverage. Nineteen percent of the population is over 65 years old, of whom 85% perceive some type of benefit. Along with the economic coverage, there is a highly consolidated social assistance System. With regard to long-term care, in 2007 a specific Public System was implemented complementing (not substituting) the family caregiving model, so family solidarity with support for dependents and their non-professional caregivers concur.

This work has been carried out within the Research Project “Active Aging and Working Life: mature workers and productive pensioners” (DER2017-85096-R), funded by the Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 169.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Notes

  1. 1.

    This block is financed via workers and employers’ contributions, essentially the latter, since employers contribute 70% the contributions collected, workers 25% and the remaining 5% by the Public State Employment Service.

  2. 2.

    http://www.seg-social.es/wps/portal/wss/internet/EstadisticasPresupuestosEstudios/Estadisticas/EST8/EST10.

  3. 3.

    http://www.seg-social.es/wps/portal/wss/internet/EstadisticasPresupuestosEstudios/Estadisticas/EST23/EST24/EST192.

  4. 4.

    http://www.oecd.org/pensions/public-pensions/OECDPensionsAtAGlance2013.pdf. Thus, the mean amount of the retirement pension (paid to 6,000,191 of the 9,695,870 pensioners is €1,129.66 a month (14 payments) (http://www.seg-social.es/wps/portal/wss/internet/EstadisticasPresupuestosEstudios/Estadisticas/EST23/EST24/EST192).

  5. 5.

    According to January 2019 data, there are 454,719 pensioners altogether, with an average amount of €381.52 (retirement pension); and €422.52 (non-contributory invalidity) (http://www.imserso.es/imserso_01/documentacion/estadisticas/pensiones_no_contributivas_jubilacion_invalidez/index.htm).

  6. 6.

    Distribution systems called pay-as-you-go (PAYG). Under this system current payments are financed by current income, or to put it graphically, what you receive with one hand is paid out by the other among those who at that time are in a situation of need.

  7. 7.

    ILO (2015) p. 4.

  8. 8.

    In this respect we refer to our study Maldonado Molina (2018b).

  9. 9.

    Neither article 41 nor any other constitutional precept alluding to the Social Security expressly includes support for the financial system or any other. Despite which the Constitution cannot be deemed neutral in this respect, since articles 1.1 (social justice as a value of a social democratic State of Law) and 40.1, which proclaims the principle of equal distribution of personal income, may lead to the conclusion that the distribution system (against capitalisation), is the one with the largest constitutional fit, i.e. it more clearly enables the principle of intergenerational solidarity to be effective.

  10. 10.

    Within EU scope the Constitution Project of July 2003 alluded to intergenerational solidarity, a question which links the social protection model to be fostered within the Union policy, implicitly meaning support for a distribution system instead of capitalisation. In the Treaty of Lisbon of 13th December 2007, whose article 1.4 amends article 2 of the Maastricht Treaty and EU Constitutional Treaty, it stated that: “(l)a Union will fight social exclusion and discrimination; and foster justice and social protections, equality of men and women; intergenerational solidarity and protection of children’s rights.” Thus, against capitalisation systems based on savings not on intergenerational solidarity; and therefore, with a less redistribution of income effect, the EU opted in favour of the distribution system convinced the targets of civilisation, equality and even the Social Security System efficiency were more feasible in this system.

  11. 11.

    Vid in extenso, Maldonado Molina (2018c), p. 116.

  12. 12.

    As clearly stated in the Grounds of this Law, introduction of the sustainability factor is a qualitively different measure from the reforming measures previously undertaken; therefore, a specific change is not implemented in the legal pension regime but rather a rebalancing instrument or automatic adjustment thereof, according to life expectancy evolution, until now inexistent. Thus, the sustainability factor is an additional parameter to those already extant for calculating the initial retirement pension, which helps achieve an average amount of pensions compatible with the level of total expenditure aimed at these pensions and keeping financial system medium to long-term.

  13. 13.

    Maldonado Molina (2017a), p. 76.

  14. 14.

    This measure was not applied to all pensions, since revaluation was maintained for the lowest pensions (benefits with complements for minimums and non-contributory pensions among others).

  15. 15.

    As the previous Government could not present the PGE Draft Bill for 2018 at least 3 months prior to expiry of those corresponding to 2017, so the previous were extended. Therefore, the 2018 PGE Law only regulates those dispositions which respect Constitutional Court doctrine over eventual contents, together with its necessary contents.

  16. 16.

    Fifty-first additional disposition of 2018 PGE Law 6/2018.

  17. 17.

    The PGE Law for 2018 does not admit to Law 23/2013 being unfair, but rather it explains the pension increases in the “context of economic growth and compliance with the goals of budget stability”; however, it admits it should be amended, referring to agreements reached in the Toledo Agreement Follow-up and Assessment Commission, which guarantee elimination of the Social Security System deficit. Meanwhile, it simply establishes: “a transitory pension increase regime for 2018, and where appropriate 2019.”

  18. 18.

    Likewise, the Economic Report accompanying the Draft Law, it states that all these measures would mean a saving of 0.1% GNP in 2015; 0.3% GNP in 2020; 1.4% GNP in 2030 and 2.8% GNP in 2040 for the Social Security System.

  19. 19.

    Ministry of Employment, Migrations and Social Security (2019), p. 189.

    http://www.seg-social.es/wps/wcm/connect/wss/3aa925cb-ece2-4477-acbf-7e3f853d8977/TOMO+III.-+INFORME+ECONOMICO-FINANCIERO-P.pdf?MOD=AJPERES&CVID=.

  20. 20.

    In 2017, 13,218 people which represented 4.27% of all pensioners that year. Source: Ministry of employment, Migrations and Social Security (2019), p. 190.

  21. 21.

    Gonzalo González (1989), p. 16.

  22. 22.

    Maldonado Molina (2011), pp. 103–104.

  23. 23.

    Source: Ministry of Employment, Migrations and Social Security (2019), p. 189.

    http://www.seg-social.es/wps/wcm/connect/wss/3aa925cb-ece2-4477-acbf-7e3f853d8977/TOMO+III.-+INFORME+ECONOMICO-FINANCIERO-P.pdf?MOD=AJPERES&CVID=. Evolution of the last 10 years was as follows: 63.5% (2007); 63.65% (2008); 63.73% (2009); 63.84% (2010); 63.87% (2011); 63.90% (2012); 64.33% (2013); 64.14% (2014); 64.09% (2015); 64.08% (2016); 64.14% (2017); 64.2% (2018).

  24. 24.

    Source: National Institute of Statistics http://www.ine.es/jaxiT3/Datos.htm?t=1414. Evolution of the last 10 years was as follows: 80.97% (2007); 81.30% (2008); 81.66% (2009); 82.07% (2010); 82.25% (2011); 82.27% (2012); 82.78% (2013); 82.92% (2014); 82.70% (2015); 83.11% (2016); 83.09% (2017).

  25. 25.

    Source: Ministry of Employment, Migrations and Social Security (2019), pp. 183, 185.

    http://www.seg-social.es/wps/wcm/connect/wss/3aa925cb-ece2-4477-acbf-7e3f853d8977/TOMO+III.-+INFORME+ECONOMICO-FINANCIERO-P.pdf?MOD=AJPERES&CVID=. Evolution of the last 10 years was as follows: 44.83% (2007); 42.33% (2008); 41.39% (2009); 40.08% (2010); 40.53% (2011); 42.22% (2012); 38.25% (2013); 41.29% (2014); 43.97% (2015); 44.62% (2016); 43.14% (2017).

  26. 26.

    Source: Ministry of Employment, Migrations and Social Security (2019), p. 188. In terms of absolute figures, the number of early retirements among women represents 32% of total early retirements.

  27. 27.

    Source: National Social Security Institute.

    https://w6.seg-social.es/ProsaInternetAnonimo/OnlineAccess?ARQ.SPM.ACTION=LOGIN&ARQ.SPM.APPTYPE=SERVICE&ARQ.IDAPP=ESTA0001.

  28. 28.

    Ribot Igualada (1999), pp. 41–42.

  29. 29.

    Abellán García (1991), p. 13.

  30. 30.

    Leal Maldonado and Hernán Montalbán (1998).

  31. 31.

    Gonzalo González (1989), p. 9.

  32. 32.

    http://www.imserso.es/imserso_01/documentacion/estadisticas/pensiones_no_contributivas_jubilacion_invalidez/index.htm.

  33. 33.

    Esping-Andersen et al. (2002).

  34. 34.

    Gonzalo González (1998).

  35. 35.

    Jenson and Jacobzone (2000), p. 11.

    http://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/social-issues-migration-health/care-allowances-for-the-frail-elderly-and-their-impact-on-women-care-givers_414673405257.

  36. 36.

    Maldonado Molina (2018a).

  37. 37.

    If we consider the data published on 30th April 2013 by the Spanish Government in the 2013 National Reform Programme, “with application of these measures, expenditure was reduced by 599 million euros in 2012, estimating an additional reduction of 1,108 million in 2013 and a further 571 million euros in 2014” (p. 23).

  38. 38.

    Maldonado Molina (2014), p. 182.

  39. 39.

    Maldonado Molina (2015).

  40. 40.

    Maldonado Molina (2017b), p. 424.

  41. 41.

    The following could be considered caregivers: (1) the spouse or partner; (2) parentage, affinity, adoption and up to 3rd degree kinship; (3) guardians and administratively or legally appointed guardians with caregiving functions. This link of kinship is dispensed in exceptional cases, provided certain circumstances concur.

  42. 42.

    Relatives are required to live under the same roof as the dependent, being attended by them and having done so for one year prior to presenting the application.

  43. 43.

    The caregiver is required to have sufficient physical, mental and intellectual capacity to correctly carry out the care and assistance tasks him-/herself. Furthermore, he/she shall not have an acknowledged dependence situation.

  44. 44.

    Molina Navarrete (2007), p. 58.

References

  • Abellán García A (1991) El envejecimiento de la población española Guillemard A M, Envejecimiento, edad y empleo en Europa: Situación Actual y Perspectivas. Ministerio de Economía y Hacienda, Madrid, p XIII

    Google Scholar 

  • Esping-Andersen G, Duncan G, Hemerick A, Milles J (2002) Why we need a new welfare state. Oxford University Press, Oxford

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Gonzalo González B (1989) El debate sobre la edad de jubilación en Europa. Revista de Seguridad Social 42:7–19

    Google Scholar 

  • Gonzalo González B (1998) «Familia y Seguridad Social hoy en España», Revista Tribuna Social., núm. 90

    Google Scholar 

  • ILO (2015) World employment and social outlook 2015: the changing nature of jobs. https://www.ilo.org/global/research/global-reports/weso/2015-changingnature-of-jobs/WCMS_368626/lang--es/index.htm

  • Jenson J, Jacobzone S (2000) Care allowances for the frail elderly and their impact on women care-givers. OECD, Paris. https://doi.org/10.1787/414673405257

  • Leal Maldonado J, Hernán Montalbán MJ (1998) Los retos de la solidaridad ante el cambio familiar. Consejería de Sanidad y Servicios Sociales de la Comunidad de Madrid, Madrid

    Google Scholar 

  • Maldonado Molina JA (2011) La edad de jubilación, retiro y vejez. In: Monereo Pérez JL, Maldonado Molina JA (eds) La edad de jubilación. Comares, Granada

    Google Scholar 

  • Maldonado Molina JA (2014) El Sistema para la Autonomía y Atención a la Dependencia tras sus reformas. In: Prevención y Protección de la Dependencia: un enfoque transdisciplinar. Ed. Comares, Granada

    Google Scholar 

  • Maldonado Molina JA (2015) El reformado Sistema de Dependencia. Revista de Derecho Social 71:79–106

    Google Scholar 

  • Maldonado Molina JA (2017a) La pensión de jubilación ordinaria. Concepto, requisitos y cuantía. Tratado de Derecho de la Seguridad Social. Laborum, Murcia

    Google Scholar 

  • Maldonado Molina JA (2017b) El Sistema de Atención a la Dependencia (SAAD). Configuración general y elementos caracterizadores. In: Tratado de Derecho de la Seguridad Social. Ed. Laborum, Murcia

    Google Scholar 

  • Maldonado Molina JA (2018a) Trabajo decente y cuidadores de personas dependientes. In: El Trabajo Decente. Comares, Granada

    Google Scholar 

  • Maldonado Molina JA (2018b) El trabajo a tiempo parcial y su impacto en el Sistema de Pensiones: especial referencia a la pensión de jubilación. Revista de Trabajo y Seguridad Social (CEF) 425:27–53

    Google Scholar 

  • Maldonado Molina JA (2018c) ‘The sustainability factor in Europe and Spain’. e-Revista Internacional de la Seguridad Social (1). https://institucional.us.es/revistapsocial/index.php/erips/article/view/171

  • Ministerio de Trabajo, Migraciones y Seguridad Social (2019) Informe Económico-Financiero del Proyecto de Presupuestos Seguridad Social (2019). http://www.seg-social.es/wps/wcm/connect/wss/3aa925cb-ece2-4477-acbf-7e3f853d8977/TOMO+III.-+INFORME+ECONOMICO-FINANCIERO-P.pdf?MOD=AJPERES&CVID=

  • Molina Navarrete C (2007) El régimen “cuasi-profesional” de cuidados de las personas dependientes. Revista de Derecho del Trabajo y de la Seguridad Social 297:33–78

    Google Scholar 

  • Ribot Igualada J (1999) Alimentos entre parientes y subsidiariedad de la protección social, Colección Privado núm. 21. Tirant lo Blanch, Valencia

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Granada, Granada, Spain

    Juan Antonio Maldonado Molina

Authors
  1. Juan Antonio Maldonado Molina
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Juan Antonio Maldonado Molina .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Comparative Labour and Social Security Law (COMPTRASEC, UMR 5114), University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France

    Eri Kasagi

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2020 Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this paper

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this paper

Maldonado Molina, J.A. (2020). Intergenerational Solidarity in the Spanish Social Security System. In: Kasagi, E. (eds) Solidarity Across Generations. Ius Comparatum - Global Studies in Comparative Law, vol 49. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-50547-9_6

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-50547-9_6

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-50546-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-50547-9

  • eBook Packages: Law and CriminologyLaw and Criminology (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation