Spain's pension reforms aim to let lawyers transfer low private pensions to public system

Spain is moving to address pension shortfalls among lawyers who spent decades contributing to the private Mutualidad de la Abogacía instead of the public system. A recent amendment to the General Social Security Law introduces a "pasarela RETA" that would let these mutualists transfer accumulated rights into the public scheme, but the provision excludes those already retired, prompting criticism from professional groups.

Separately, the Spanish Social Security offers a voluntary special agreement that allows workers—such as lawyers nearing retirement—to continue paying contributions even after leaving employment. This mechanism aims to preserve pension amounts by preventing gaps in contribution records, though participants must bear the cost themselves. The government is expected to issue detailed regulations for the transfer process within three months of the law’s publication.