Spanish Senate blocks pension bridge for retired mutualists

The Spanish Senate voted to amend the law that would allow professionals in alternative mutual societies to transfer their accrued rights to the public Social Security system (the “pasarela al RETA”). The Popular Party (PP) introduced a last‑minute amendment that excludes retirees of these mutuals, reversing a provision approved by the Congress a month earlier. The change affects roughly 20,000 pensioners, mainly lawyers, doctors, architects and other professionals who receive between €300 and €700 a month.

The amendment also adjusts how contributions made to the mutual societies are converted into credited months in the RETA, applying a correction coefficient of 0.67‑0.87 instead of a one‑for‑one conversion. Exceptions remain for members who will be 52 years old by 31 December 2026 or who began their activity before 10 November 1995, allowing full credit for their mutuality periods. Funds will be transferred to the public system only when the beneficiary triggers a pension, death or permanent disability claim.

The revision re‑aligns the legislation with the government’s original proposal, prompting criticism from mutuality representatives who warn of financial strain on their organisations. The bill now returns to the Congress for final approval.