[kalohi]

I

Where does it say it needs to be full-time? I don't work full-time ( in fact many Spanish dont) but I got a letter stating my pension and its just based on payments and years. Do you not mean it's full time for the minimum ( 50% full pension) whereas you still get a pension of some amount as long as you work 15 years?

I've never read that it needs to be full-time. I've seen for myself that this is so, at least in my case. When I was working at 50% of what's considered full time in my sector, I wasn't credited with working anything close to 100% of the days. I could see this myself by checking my 'vida laboral'.

Having googled it I can see that the law was modified in 2019 (after I began working full-time). But from what I'm reading it's still quite complicated to compute how many days are counted toward your pension when it comes to a part-time worker. Apparently it's computed differently if you work part-time 5 days a week, or full-time only a few days a week - even though it might come out to the same number of hours worked a week.

If you have a digital certificate you can access your 'vida laboral' and see up-to-date information about how your days are being counted toward your pension.

 

[1kaipa]

I

I've never read that it needs to be full-time. I've seen for myself that this is so, at least in my case. When I was working at 50% of what's considered full time in my sector, I wasn't credited with working anything close to 100% of the days. I could see this myself by checking my 'vida laboral'.

Having googled it I can see that the law was modified in 2019 (after I began working full-time). But from what I'm reading it's still quite complicated to compute how many days are counted toward your pension when it comes to a part-time worker. Apparently it's computed differently if you work part-time 5 days a week, or full-time only a few days a week - even though it might come out to the same number of hours worked a week.

If you have a digital certificate you can access your 'vida laboral' and see up-to-date information about how your days are being counted toward your pension.

Yes I can see all my information. I think what you mean is the size of your pension depends on how much you work ( obviously you pay more contributions) but you still get a pension if you work 15 years part time but not necessarily the minimum ( which is quite high- around 780 euros) . I definitely get a pension but it says I have to work 15 years which means I will be 69 and I get around 300 euros at the moment but that can increase if I work more but I won't get the minimum pension.

 

[olivefarmer]

Yes. When I reach retirement age in uk I will get my UK pension. If I continue working part -time ( 10 hours) in spain for 3 more years I will then get my Spanish one. What I am trying to find out is: if I stop working in spain when I get my UK pension will I still get a fraction ( 12/35 ) of the Spanish pension or do you have to work 15 to get anything?. I say this because as far as I can see it says 15 years to get the Minimum- which isn't saying you get nothing. Besides that would be rather unfair as even those people who have not reached 15 years can get a non- contributive pension if they have an income below 6.700 euros!

Before the UK left the EU, there was what I would ( wrongly) call an EU pension. This may still be the case under the withdrawal agreement. Basically, you applied to the last country you worked in and that country liased with each and every EU country you worked in. Say you had done 30 years in the uk and 12 in Spain, then you would receive a UK pension and a Spanish one based on the 12 years and the fact you had worked years elsewhere , I would suggest you ring UK pension office and ask them unless your Spanish is very good. That would be a good starting point.

 

[mike_1957]

Do not forget to apply before you reach Spanish retirement age which might be different to the UK age. Spain does not pay retrospectively- just to the date you applied.

This is an area that is confusing me. I reach 66 at the end of October 2023 and I’m eligible for a full UK pension. I am resident and working as autonomo in Spain, but my Spanish retirement date isn’t until February 2024. As I understand it, I have to apply for both my UK and Spanish pension through the Spanish system so what happens to the fourth months of UK pension before I reach retirement age in Spain. Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

[1kaipa]

This is an area that is confusing me. I reach 66 at the end of October 2023 and I’m eligible for a full UK pension. I am resident and working as autonomo in Spain, but my Spanish retirement date isn’t until February 2024. As I understand it, I have to apply for both my UK and Spanish pension through the Spanish system so what happens to the fourth months of UK pension before I reach retirement age in Spain. Thanks in advance for any advice.

I was told that the two are completely separate if you have been paying voluntary contributions or it is already fully paid up in UK. In other words once you reach uk retirement date you should automatically get your uk pension because it is fully paid. The Spanish one you will get separately from spain when you reach their date. This is what DWP told me'- they weren't interested in my Spanish one as long as the UK had 32 years paid up. The Spanish one is an extra bonus as long as you manage the 15 year minimum.
I think the mixing of pensions is if you haven't sufficient contributions in both systems and want one full pension

 

[olivefarmer]

I was told that the two are completely separate if you have been paying voluntary contributions or it is already fully paid up in UK. In other words once you reach uk retirement date you should automatically get your uk pension because it is fully paid. The Spanish one you will get separately from spain when you reach their date. This is what DWP told me'- they weren't interested in my Spanish one as long as the UK had 32 years paid up. The Spanish one is an extra bonus as long as you manage the 15 year minimum.
I think the mixing of pensions is if you haven't sufficient contributions in both systems and want one full pension

An example. Full contributions in uk.equals full uk pension. 10 years in Spain. Eligible for a part Spanish pension because under EU rules because you worked and contributed in another EU country. So full pension in this example paid by UK and separately Spain pays you say 200 euros a month. You have to pound the doors and make calls

 

[1kaipa]

An example. Full contributions in uk.equals full uk pension. 10 years in Spain. Eligible for a part Spanish pension because under EU rules because you worked and contributed in another EU country. So full pension in this example paid by UK and separately Spain pays you say 200 euros a month. You have to pound the doors and make calls

I dont think you get anything in Spain unless you have a minimum of 15 years not 10. This is why it is a bit harsh on anyone who goes automino but doesn't complete 15 years - you pay for a pension that you wont get!!! Also there is absolutely no need to do anything- it should all be automatic. Your UK one can be seen on the government App as can your Spanish one on Spanish website. Both give you the date and the amount you will recieve so there is no need to do anything.

 

[dancingspider]

200 euros a month.

Assuming full qualifying years, pension is variable and depends on last three years salary b4 retiring? Correct or not?

 

[1kaipa]

Assuming full qualifying years, pension is variable and depends on last three years salary b4 retiring? Correct or not?

Yes true. The size of the pension is dependent on your contributions and salary and the final year has considerable baring on the eventual payout. Still if you did come to Spain at say 50 and had already done 30 years in uk then started to work in Spain at 66 you would get your uk pension and also around 400 euros from the Spanish system if you had been working full time for those 15 years. Unfortunately I don't think you get anything from spain if it is less than 15 years. I have to work until I am 69 to get my Spanish pension - but at least it doesn't have to be more than a few hours a week if I decide to go for it.

 

[olivefarmer]

Not true . See my example and posts.

As I keep saying. You need to make phone calls and enquiries of the relevant authorities ( not forums though they point you in the right direction) . It is most important to apply to the office in the country you last worked in as you approach retirement age . That might be earlier in the UK than Spain. If you are late in applying in Spain your pension may not be backdated and will not be slightly increased.

 

[dancingspider]

Pension plan and retirement calculator ▷ Contributions | BBVA

Did a quick google search and came up with this calculator which will tell how much you will get in state pension in Spain.

So if you get this pension from the Spanish state and you get a UK state pension on top, is either means tested or do you get the full amount of both?

 

[1kaipa]

Pension plan and retirement calculator ▷ Contributions | BBVA

Did a quick google search and came up with this calculator which will tell how much you will get in state pension in Spain.

So if you get this pension from the Spanish state and you get a UK state pension on top, is either means tested or do you get the full amount of both?

You should get both pensions and they are completely separate. The only thing is that most UK nats who get a full pension from uk won't get a big Spanish pension unless they have worked full time for 15 years - then you get half the full pension. It's a great deal if you were lucky enough to have done it as basically you are getting pensions for all the years you work as opposed to only 32 years.

 

[olivefarmer]

You should get both pensions and they are completely separate. The only thing is that most UK nats who get a full pension from uk won't get a big Spanish pension unless they have worked full time for 15 years - then you get half the full pension. It's a great deal if you were lucky enough to have done it as basically you are getting pensions for all the years you work as opposed to only 32 years.

Butunder EU rules if you have worked less than 15 years you do get a Spanish pension , albeit not much. So long as you have worked elsewhere in the EU and the UK qualifies forthat. As you say, it is a greatdeal.

 

[1kaipa]

Butunder EU rules if you have worked less than 15 years you do get a Spanish pension , albeit not much. So long as you have worked elsewhere in the EU and the UK qualifies forthat. As you say, it is a greatdeal.

I don't know about that. Spain seems to insist you need 15 years to get any kind of pension and if you fail that you get some type of of non contributive pension but that is means tested and is essentially for folks with pretty much nothing. At first I thought it was 15 years for the minimum pension ( half the full pension) but that goes against my forecast on the Sepe website which only gives around 300 euros. I imagine the EU law probably is about how you can use your Spanish years to top up years from a different country if you are short but not to get the Spanish pension.

 

[olivefarmer]

I don't know about that. Spain seems to insist you need 15 years to get any kind of pension and if you fail that you get some type of of non contributive pension but that is means tested and is essentially for folks with pretty much nothing. At first I thought it was 15 years for the minimum pension ( half the full pension) but that goes against my forecast on the Sepe website which only gives around 300 euros. I imagine the EU law probably is about how you can use your Spanish years to top up years from a different country if you are short but not to get the Spanish pension.

Nope. See my actual previous posts. Dont imagine or probably. I speak from actual experience.

 

[1kaipa]

Nope. See my actual previous posts. Dont imagine or probably. I speak from actual experience.

Well I am happy if that is the case as means I will get some of a Spanish pension if I retire at 67. It does seem to contradict what Sepe says on my account which says I need 15 years but if you got it but didn't complete 15 years then obviously I have misunderstood the law.

This what I thought was the law


Entonces, ¿ he cotizado 10 años tengo derecho a pensión?

Pues si nos referimos a la prestación contributiva de jubilación o «pensión de jubilación» la respuesta es no.


Para poder acceder a esta pensión las personas han tenido que cotizar como mínimo 15 años, además de otros requisitos, pero como la pregunta es si ha cotizado 10 años se puede cobrar la pensión, como hemos dicho, no es posible.

Y aunque parezca un no rotundo, tienes que saber que si puedes optar a una pensión no contributiva y a otras ayudas que vamos a ver, si solo haz cotizado 12 años, 10 años, 8 años o cualquier año que no sobrepase los quince años.


Por ejemplo si preguntaras ¿Con 20 años cotizados tengo derecho a pensión? Entonces la respuesta sería afirmativa, ya que con cualquier año superior a 15 años la puedes solicitar si cumples los restantes requisitos, siendo este uno de los principales.

Es decir, no tienes derecho a pensión con menos de 15 años cotizados y si tienes quince o más tendrás que cumplir otros requisitos que si te darán acceso a una

 

[olivefarmer]

I believe that covers a Spanish citizen that hasnt worked 15 years in their life…..

Some light reading!
State pensions abroad - Your Europe

https://www.sodra.lt/en/benefits/information-for-residents/for-persons-living-and-working-abroad/i-work-in-several-countries

Worked in several EU countries? Read how your pension is calculated

Those who have worked in several EU member states may accumulate pension rights in each of them to collect their retirement pension when the time comes.

www.thenomadtoday.com

Pensions

www.euraxess.es

this is for Austria but embodies the EU principles. I cannot find the equivalent Spain page. It is out there! Rights to pensions in more than one country

UK DWP are very helpful but you have to talk to INSS here as you last worked here.

 

[1kaipa]

I believe that covers a Spanish citizen that hasnt worked 15 years in their life…..

Some light reading!
State pensions abroad - Your Europe

https://www.sodra.lt/en/benefits/information-for-residents/for-persons-living-and-working-abroad/i-work-in-several-countries

Worked in several EU countries? Read how your pension is calculated

Those who have worked in several EU member states may accumulate pension rights in each of them to collect their retirement pension when the time comes.

www.thenomadtoday.com

Pensions

www.euraxess.es

this is for Austria but embodies the EU principles. I cannot find the equivalent Spain page. It is out there! Rights to pensions in more than one country

UK DWP are very helpful but you have to talk to INSS here as you last worked here.

I dont think there is any difference between a spanish national and resident when it comes to pension ( although the non contributive pension requires the resident to have lived for 10 years).
The articles you posted here are simply about combining pensions when neither pension has reached full qualifying years and I understand that. What I was arguing is that you can't get a separate Spanish pension on top of a full uk one unless you have 15 years. That isn't talked about in your links. You say you have experience with the spanish pension and less than 15 years contributions. Does this mean that you receive a Spanish pension based on the number of contributive years you work? Or do you receive a full pension because you are able to combine uk contributions with Spanish?

 

[olivefarmer]

I dont think there is any difference between a spanish national and resident when it comes to pension ( although the non contributive pension requires the resident to have lived for 10 years).
The articles you posted here are simply about combining pensions when neither pension has reached full qualifying years and I understand that. What I was arguing is that you can't get a separate Spanish pension on top of a full uk one unless you have 15 years. That isn't talked about in your links. You say you have experience with the spanish pension and less than 15 years contributions. Does this mean that you receive a Spanish pension based on the number of contributive years you work? Or do you receive a full pension because you are able to combine uk contributions with Spanish?

uk pension as per uk rules. Then a Spanish pension based on only 13 years but under Eu rules you have collectively worked enough years in total in the EU to entitle you to something here in Spain. They didnt supply their “workings out” but it seems about right. By the same process, if I had only worked one year I would have received something.

I cannot stress though how important it is to get your application in here to INSS as last place of work in the EU and not deal with the countries involved separately even though theymight have different retiring ages.

Those links are pointers. The info is out there.

 

[olivefarmer]

I dont think there is any difference between a spanish national and resident when it comes to pension ( although the non contributive pension requires the resident to have lived for 10 years).
The articles you posted here are simply about combining pensions when neither pension has reached full qualifying years and I understand that. What I was arguing is that you can't get a separate Spanish pension on top of a full uk one unless you have 15 years. That isn't talked about in your links. You say you have experience with the spanish pension and less than 15 years contributions. Does this mean that you receive a Spanish pension based on the number of contributive years you work? Or do you receive a full pension because you are able to combine uk contributions with Spanish?

Uk pension plus a Spanish one based on 13 years.