The lowest pensions in the system will again gain weight in 2026: the Executive has confirmed increases that far exceed the general revaluation and reinforce the so-called “social shield” for the most vulnerable groups.
The Government has announced that in 2026 minimum pensions will experience a significant increase. Specifically, minimum benefits will grow by at least 7%, while those with family responsibilities, non-contributory pensions and the Minimum Vital Income (IMV) will rise by 11.4%. These increases are well above the general update of the system, set at 2.7% for next year.
The information was detailed by the Minister of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration, Elma Saiz, after the Council of Ministers, in her first appearance as Government spokesperson.
Which pensions will increase the most in 2026
The greatest budgetary effort will be concentrated on those receiving the lowest amounts. Minimum pensions with family responsibilities will increase by 11.4%, while minimum pensions without family responsibilities will increase by around 7%. This adjustment seeks to reduce the income gap between pensioners and guarantee a more decent standard of living for those in the lower bracket of the system.
Currently, more than two million pensions require minimum supplements to reach the amounts established by law. These supplements depend on the age, income and family situation of the beneficiary, and updating them will have a direct impact on the disposable income of thousands of households.
Non-contributory pensions and MVI: reinforcement of the social network
The 11.4% increase will also apply to non-contributory pensions, aimed at elderly or disabled people who have not contributed enough. Nearly half a million of these benefits are paid in Spain, with a clear majority of women among the beneficiaries.
This state aid, which reaches more than 780,000 households and benefits some 2.4 million people, will be increased in order to support families with fewer resources in a context of accumulated inflation.
General revaluation and system cost
The general increase of 2.7% for all contributory pensions is based on the year-on-year average of the CPI, in accordance with the regulations in force since 2021. According to economic estimates, the effective revaluation of the system could be even above 3%, raising total spending on public pensions to around 230 billion euros in 2026.
The system currently has more than 10.4 million contributory pensions. Retirement pensions account for most of them, with an average amount of over 1,500 euros per month, although there is still a significant gap between men and women.
Other social measures approved
In addition to pensions, the Council of Ministers gave the green light to other initiatives of a social nature. Among them are the extension of the social bond for electricity, the prohibition of evictions without housing alternatives and the continuity of restrictions on cuts in basic supplies.
It was also agreed to maintain the minimum interprofessional wage at 1,184 euros gross per month, pending a future revision, as well as to extend aid linked to energy efficiency, electric mobility and compatibility between retirement and professional practice in certain healthcare sectors.
All these measures will be integrated into a single regulatory package that will have to be validated in Parliament in the coming weeks, in a political context in which the support of the opposition is not yet guaranteed.
