Individuals planning to retire in Spain in 2025 must consider the number of years they have contributed to the social security system, as this will determine both the standard retirement age and access to the minimum pension.

Current regulations stipulate different requirements based on accumulated contribution years and the worker's circumstances at the time of retirement.

The contributory retirement pension aims to compensate for income loss following the complete or partial cessation of work activity.

To qualify, individuals must not only reach the legal retirement age but also have contributed for a specified number of years.

Changes to the requirements will continue in 2025, with the final regulations set to stabilize by 2027, which will establish the retirement age at 67.

The standard retirement age in 2025 is 65 years for those with at least 38 years and 3 months of contributions.

For individuals who do not meet this threshold, the retirement age will be 66 years and 8 months.

The General Social Security Law outlines these provisions in a progressive application timetable for pension reform.

Starting in 2027, the minimum required contribution for those wishing to retire at 65 will increase to 38 years and 6 months.

If this is not achieved, individuals will need to wait until the age of 67 to retire.

Certain exceptions apply to specific groups and circumstances:

- Early retirement from age 60 is available for individuals recognized as mutualists.

- Early retirement from age 61 is permitted for non-mutualist workers, provided they meet certain conditions.

- Partial retirement allows individuals to combine a pension with part-time employment, typically associated with a relief contract.

- Special retirement at age 64 is applicable to those governed by legislation in effect before January 1, 2013.
- Early retirement is also available to specific groups, including personnel under the Mining Statute, members of the Ertzaintza (Basque police), railway workers, bullfighting professionals, artists, and air transport crew.

- Flexible retirement permits individuals to draw a partial pension while working reduced hours and can increase the pension based on time worked.

- Disability retirement allows earlier access if the worker has a recognized disability of 45% or more, subject to the applicable regime's requirements.

To qualify for the minimum pension, individuals must have contributed for at least 15 years, with at least 2 of those years within the 15 years immediately preceding the cessation of contributions or the granting of rights.

This applies regardless of whether the individual is actively contributing or not.

Only effective or assimilated contributions are considered, excluding extraordinary payments.

Periods such as parental leave or caregiving leave may also be counted.

For those who cannot meet the 15-year contribution requirement, the non-contributory retirement pension offers financial assistance for individuals in need.

Eligibility requires individuals to be at least 65 years old, have legally resided in Spain for a minimum of 10 years—2 of which must have been consecutive and immediately prior to the application—and not exceed a set annual income threshold, which is 7,905.80 euros in 2025.

According to Law 20/2021, contributory pensions are adjusted annually based on average year-on-year inflation.

In 2025, this adjustment is projected at 2.8%.

Consequently, the minimum pension for retirees over 65 is set at 12,241.60 euros annually without a dependent spouse and at 15,786.40 euros with a dependent spouse.

For retirees under 65, the amounts are 11,452 euros and 15,786.40 euros when the retiree has a spouse dependent.

Moreover, the average retirement pension is expected to rise from 1,441 euros per month in 2024 to 1,481.35 euros in 2025, reflecting an annual increase of 564.87 euros.

Non-contributory pensions are also to be adjusted by 9%, raising their annual amount to the previously mentioned 7,905.80 euros.