The annual revaluation of pensions already has a figure foreseen for 2026. Following the advance CPI figure for November, Social Security contributory pensions will increase by 2.7% next year.
Although the figure will be officially confirmed on December 12, this percentage is the one that fixes the average year-on-year inflation, the basis on which the update of benefits is calculated according to Law 21/2021.
This increase will affect all contributory pensions (retirement, permanent disability, widow’s, widower’s, orphan’s and family allowances) in addition to the maximum and minimum pensions.
What happens to pensions in 2026: the CPI calculation and the government’s message
The data advanced by the National Statistics Institute placed November inflation at 3%, which leaves an annual average of 2.7%. That figure will be the one automatically applied to contributory benefits on January 1, 2026.
The Minister of Social Security, Elma Saiz, stressed that this increase “consolidates the commitment to guarantee that no pensioner loses purchasing power”, and recalled that the revaluation linked to the CPI is already a structural measure of the system.
The increase will affect both those already receiving a benefit and those retiring next year, and will be formalized in the last Council of Ministers of 2025.
This is how the pension increase will look in 2026
With the 2.7% increase, the average pension and the main contributory benefits will increase as of January 1. In retirement, the increase will mean an increase of more than 500 euros per year for most beneficiaries.
Average system pension
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2025: 1.316,7 €
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2026: 1.352,24 €
Retirement
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2025: 1.511,5 €
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2026: 1.552,32 €
Permanent disability
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2025: 1.211,48 €
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2026: 1.244,19 €
Widowhood
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2025: 937,18 €
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2026: 962,48 €
Orphanage
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2025: 527,02 €
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2026: 541,25 €
In favor of family members
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2025: 784,25 €
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2026: 805,42 €
Maximum pension
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2025: €3,267.60 per month
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2026: €3,356 per month
Beyond the general increase, the maximum pension will grow by 2.815%, with the addition of an additional adjustment planned to balance the system’s ceilings. This will leave the annual limit close to 47,000 euros gross.
What happens to non-contributory pensions
The Government also plans to announce in December the revaluation of non-contributory retirement and disability pensions, which in 2025 were increased by 8% to 7,905.80 euros per year (564.70 euros per month in 14 payments).
The Executive’s plan is to continue extending these amounts in 2026 and 2027 so that their amount approaches 75% of the poverty threshold for a single-person household. If the trend continues, the monthly benefit could be close to 600 euros per month.
The ultimate goal, as communicated by the Ministry, is to reduce the economic vulnerability of the lowest income groups and to ensure greater convergence with European standards.
