- Pensions · The Government announced that the measure will come into force this new year
There are professions that are recognised as demanding, dangerous, or unhealthy, posing significant risks to workers’ health and leading to high rates of morbidity and mortality. These jobs currently allow early retirement under specific conditions, with workers eligible to retire at 55 without penalties. However, changes set to take effect in February 2025 will expand this framework, allowing more workers to retire as early as 52 with a full pension.
Elma Saiz, Spain’s Minister of Social Security, announced the upcoming rule change, which introduces a new “system of coefficients for early retirement” for jobs classified as painful, dangerous, toxic, or unhealthy.
Unlike the current system, which simply requires contributing to a qualifying scheme, the new approach will assess the real impact of a worker’s role on their health. Factors such as sick leave incidence, persistence, and duration will be considered in determining eligibility.
To qualify for early retirement at 52, workers must meet specific criteria. They must have at least 15 years of contributions in the same hazardous profession and demonstrate an inability to transfer to a less harmful position within their company.
Decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis by the Directorate General for Social Security Management, eliminating generalized retirement eligibility for entire sectors.
Currently, early retirement at 55 is available to workers under the Mining Statute, flight personnel for aerial work, railway workers, artists, firefighters, local and regional police, members of the Ertzaintza Corps and Mossos d’Esquadra, and professionals in bullfighting.
From February 2025, the list will expand to include other high-risk professions such as chambermaids, professional drivers, and caregivers.
This reform will allow qualifying workers to retire at 52 with a full pension, reflecting their contributions throughout their careers, while also addressing the physical toll and health consequences associated with these demanding professions.
