The Spanish government approves a new type of active retirement: this is how it can affect you

MadridNews on active retirement. The Spanish government has approved a royal decree this Tuesday, which will come into effect in three months, establishing a new modality for self-employed workers and employees, both part-time and full-time, to combine their work and collect their pension simultaneously. The objective, as explained by the Minister of Security and Migrations, Elma Saiz, is to facilitate retired individuals to return to work without losing their pension, with the idea of contributing to an "active aging".

"Our objective is for workers to have more and better options when retiring or combining work and pension. This is an improved flexible retirement," said Elma Saiz, as this possibility already exists. What exactly does it consist of? According to the ministry, the regulatory change offers the possibility for anyone who wishes to apply for the following options.

Who will be able to benefit?

• Employees in part-time and full-time employment, as well as self-employed individuals, provided they have not registered three years before retirement, may be eligible. There will be no need to wait a minimum period from retirement to apply for flexible retirement.

Part-time workers

• In the case of pensioners who have part-time employment with an employer, they will be able to work between 33% and 80% of the working day. Previously, it was between 25% and 75%. Regarding the amount of the pension, it will be reduced "in inverse proportion to the reduction in the working day".
• To encourage return to the labor market, if one returns to work after six months of having accessed retirement, the pensioner will receive an additional percentage of up to 25% depending on the percentage of the workday performed.

Full-time workers

• In the case of full-time workers, the pension will be reduced in inverse proportion to the decrease in working hours. If flexible retirement is accessed once already a pensioner, at least six months having passed, the worker may also increase the pension by up to 25% based on the percentage of the working day they choose to return to work.

Self-employed workers

• The pensioner who returns to work as a self-employed person will be able to receive up to 25% of their pension while carrying out the compatible activity.