The permanent disability pension is one of the benefits offered by Social Security to compensate people whose work capacity is reduced or canceled due to illness or accident. As happened in 2024 when contributory pensions were increased by 3.8%, another increase is expected for next year 2025, which could be around 3%. Below we explain everything you need to know about permanent disability pension and the conditions to apply for it.
“This is an economic benefit which aims to cover the loss of income suffered by a worker when, due to illness or accident, their work capacity is reduced or canceled.” This is how he defines the Social security on its website, the permanent disability pension that 978,165 people in Spain received last September. Of the 10.2 million pensions distributed to 9.2 million different people, almost a million went to this type of benefit which covers people whose work capacity is reduced or canceled.
Of the 12,855.2 million euros that the Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration invested in pensions last September, setting a record expenditure in this area, a total of 1,138.6 million was devoted to permanent disability pensions. This is the third contributory pension to which the most money is allocated, behind that of 9.4 billion euros which were invested in retirement and the 2,110.4 million which were devoted to widow’s pensions.
The increase in permanent disability pensions
Permanent disability pensions increased by 3.8% in 2024 after the Government confirmed at the time that benefits would increase based on the annual change in the consumer price index. This means that the average pension last September was set at 1,258 euros per month and everything indicates that it will continue to increase in 2025 due to the increase that the Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration prepare for next year.
After the increase of 3.8% last year, everything indicates that in 2025 the increase will be around 3%, after taking into account the annual variation of the consumer price index between December 2023 and November 2024. After knowing the latest data related to inflation for the month of November, during the first two weeks of December everything indicates that the increase in contributory pensions will be confirmed, which will benefit those who receive retirement, widow’s, permanent disability, orphan’s and family pensions.
Degrees and amounts of permanent disability pensions
Within the framework of permanent disability pensions, Social Security establishes different diplomas which can be accessed by all people who prove and meet the established requirements. With this in mind, the amount will also be fixed, which will also depend on the days indicated in the professional life. Remember that to access a contributory benefit, you must have contributed for at least 15 years, including two in the last 15 years.
Thus, within permanent disability pensions, there are different degrees:
- Partial: When the worker suffers a reduction of no less than 33%. This is a lump sum compensation (24 monthly payments of the regulatory base used to calculate the temporary incapacity).
- Total: This disqualifies the worker from his usual profession but he can devote himself to another. This amount is 55% of the regulatory base and will increase by 20% from age 55.
- Absolute: Disqualifies the worker from any profession or trade. The amount is 100% of the regulatory base.
- Major disability: When the permanently disabled worker requires the assistance of another person for essential acts of life. An attendance supplement is added to 100% of the regulatory base.
In 2024, the minimum pension for total permanent disability is 608.3 euros per month and can go up to 1,033.3 euros per month (14,466.2 euros per year) depending on the person’s family situation and whether they have dependent children. The permanent disability pension is received at the same time as the rest of the pensions, between the 1st and the 4th of the following month. As is generally the case, banks advance the payment of these pensions, so according to the banks, the deposit will be made in the last days of the previous month.
