The widow’s pension is an economic benefit granted by Social Security to people who had a marriage or a common-law relationship with the deceased person. The aim is to avoid lack of economic protection of the beneficiaryespecially if the deceased was the main source of income. This pension aims to ensure the financial support for the widow or widowerTo benefit from this pension, certain conditions linked to the link with the deceased must be met.
These include be married or have been a common-law couple at the time of death. In the event of separation, divorce or annulment of marriage, the right to a pension is maintained if the spouse has not remarried or entered into another de facto partnership and if he or she benefits from a compensatory pensionThose who have been victims of gender-based violence during a separation or divorce can also receive a widow’s pension.
Widow’s pension
The person responsible for the pension must meet certain conditions, such as being registered in the register General social security system at the time of his death. For common illnesses, it is necessary to have contributed at least 500 days over the previous five years. In the event of work accident or occupational diseaseNo minimum contribution period is required. If the deceased was not registered, he or she must have contributed for at least 15 years during his or her working life.
For apply for a widow’s pensionThe survivor benefits application form must be completed and the required documents submitted. The application can be made at the Social Security Electronic Headquarters, by regular mail or at Social Security Attention and Information Centers. The Social Security response is issued within 90 days, although it is usually faster. If the request is made within three months of the death, the pension is paid from the day of death. In the event of a later request, it is paid retroactively for a maximum of three months from the date of the request.
Amount
This year, all contributory pensions were revalued by 3.8% due to the average inflation over one yearThe amounts of the widow’s pension in 2024 are as follows:
- With family burdens: the pension is 14,466.20 euros per year (1,033.30 euros per month), compared to 12,682.60 euros per year (905.90 euros per month) in 2023. This represents an increase of 14%, or 127.40 euros more per month or 1,783.60 euros per year.
- Persons over 65 years of age or with a disability equal to or greater than 65%: The pension is 11,552.80 euros per year (825.20 euros per month), compared to 10,963.40 euros per year (783.10 euros per month) last year, an increase of 5.3%.
- Holders between 60 and 64 years old: The pension amounts to 10,808 euros per year (772 euros per month), instead of the previous 10,256.40 euros per year (732.60 euros per month), also with an increase of 5.3%.
- Children under 60 free of charge: The pension is 8,752.80 euros per year (625.20 euros per month), compared to 8,306.20 euros per year (593.30 euros per month) in 2023, with an increase of 5.3%.
Extinction
The widow’s pension can be withdrawn for several reasons. One of the main reasons is the new marriage or the formation of a de facto couple. In such cases, the pensioner is considered to no longer need the benefit, since the new relationship provides the financial support that justified the pension. For there to be extinction, it is necessary to demonstrate significant cohabitation of at least five years or the couple must have been registered in the corresponding register at least two years in advance.
Another cause of loss of pension rights is death of the beneficiarysince the benefit is intended for your exclusive financial support. The pension is also withdrawn if it is proven that the person whose death gave rise to the granting of the pension is still alive, which invalidates the right to the benefit. In addition, if the beneficiary has committed an offence against the person responsible for the pension or has been convicted of death by a final conviction, the right to the pension is lost.
There are, however, exceptions that allow maintain the widow’s pension despite entering into a new marriage or forming a de facto couple.
- If the beneficiary is over 61, he or she can continue to receive the pension in his or her new marital status.
- If you are under 61, you can keep your pension if you receive an absolute permanent disability pension, if you suffer from a severe disability or if you have a recognized disability of at least 65%. In addition, the pension must represent at least 75% of your annual income and the combined income of the new couple must not exceed the limit of twice the Minimum Interprofessional Salary (SMI), or 2,268 euros per month.
Finally, note that when the spouse or de facto partner does not meet certain conditions to benefit from the widow’s pension, he or she can access a temporary widowhood allowance if it meets a series of required requirements.
