The Congress of Spain rejected the omnibus decree that included the revaluation of pensions, leaving millions of retirees in the country uncertain about the future of their benefits starting in February. This decree anticipated an overall increase of 2.8% and up to 9% in the case of minimum pensions, but it was rejected by the opposition.
If a new decree that includes these revaluations is not approved, pensions could revert to the levels prior to February, which would affect about 12 million beneficiaries, including the lowest pensions and the Minimum Vital Income (IMV) that would lose the scheduled increases of 6% and 9% respectively.
The Ministry of Social Security assured that pensioners would receive the increase in January, as the regulations were in force until the vote in Congress. However, the increase in the supplement to reduce the gender gap, estimated at 8.1%, is rendered ineffective.
The Government has labeled the decision to reject the decree as a blow to pensioners and has expressed its firm commitment to the revaluation of pensions, trusting that a new decree can be approved in the coming weeks to prevent pensions from regressing in February. The opposition argues that the rejection was due to the inclusion of unrelated measures in the same decree and has requested that the revaluations be voted on separately.
In addition to pensions, other measures such as discounts on transportation and the increase of the minimum wage have also been suspended due to the lack of political consensus. This situation leaves millions of citizens in limbo that the Government will have to resolve before February to avoid a setback in recently acquired social rights.
