Are you lacking a little extra time to complete the necessary retirement pension? Well, today, those who have had academic internships or scholarships have a great new opportunity: there's a legal way to earn up to 5 extra years of Social Security contributionsThis mechanism, included in recent Spanish regulations, has provided relief and an opportunity for thousands of professionals seeking to improve their future pensions.
if you wonder, How can I get these additional 5 years of contributions?You've come to the right place. Below, we'll break down all the details of this special agreement, including the requirements, practical steps, who can benefit, costs, and key tips. Forget doubts and rumors: here's verified and comprehensive information to help you make the most of this measure, explained naturally with clear examples.
What does the possibility of adding 5 extra years of contributions entail?
From January 2024, Social Security allows, through a new special agreement, adding up to 1.825 days (i.e., 5 years) of contributions to those people who completed training internships, especially if they were unpaid, and whose internship time was not included in their working life at the time.
This progress responds to the desire to redress historical imbalances and recognize practices that previously did not generate social rights, with the goal of improving social protection and preventing precarious internship situations from harming new generations of pensioners.
The mechanism is regulated in the Order ISM/386/2024 This program is primarily aimed at those who have completed academic, artistic, or sports internships, both in Spain and abroad. Now, thanks to this option, you can validate internship periods that previously didn't count toward your retirement, provided you meet the deadlines and requirements detailed below.
Who is the special agreement for adding years of contributions intended for?
The new regulations establish some very clear requirements regarding beneficiaries:
- People who performed unpaid training internships from November 1, 2011 to December 31, 2023.
- Who carried out paid internships before November 1, 2011, at which time the internships became taxable by law.
- Students of university (Degree, Master's, Doctorate, own degrees), Vocational training (at all levels: Basic, Middle, Higher, Specialization Courses), and those who took artistic or sports teachings, both in Spain and abroad.
- People who participated in research training programs before February 4, 2006, may also benefit from this agreement.
A relevant clarification: Those who are already retired will not be able to apply. or have a recognized permanent disability, except in some legally contemplated exceptions.
How many years can be recovered and how are they calculated?
Thanks to this agreement, it is possible to add up to 1.825 days of contributions, that is, 5 full years, maximum.
Did you have multiple internships? Add up all the days actually worked under those conditions, as long as you don't exceed the legal limit. If you had already recovered up to two years under the previous 2 regulations, you can complete up to five years under the new regulations.
La Retroactive contribution is calculated by adding the days of practice that were not contributed within the applicable period and then applying the legal equivalency. In some cases, each day of internship can count toward more than one day of contributions, depending on the year and type of study, so it is recommended to make the exact calculation with Social Security.
Key requirements to access the special agreement
To benefit from this measure and sign the special agreement, you must meet the following criteria:
- Having completed training internships, both curricular and extracurricular, within the framework of university studies, vocational training, artistic or sports education, or research programs before February 4, 2006.
- That these practices were not listed at the time, that is, they do not appear in your employment history as effective contributions.
- Have certification issued by the educational center, university, collaborating entity or entity responsible for the internship, detailing the periods and modality.
- Not having been discharged in the General Social Security Regime during those periods.
The process, furthermore, can only be requested once, so it is advisable to gather as much documentation as possible before starting the application so that no period is left out.
What documentation do you need to process the application?
In order for Social Security to process your registration under the special agreement and add the missing years, you will need to submit:
- DNI or NIE in force.
- Official internship certificate carried out by the educational institution or company, with clear indication of dates and type of internship.
- If applicable, documentation justifying the type of study: university degree, vocational training, artistic or sports education, or participation in research programs.
All documents must be properly completed, and if you have studied outside of Spain, it is advisable to have your diplomas or certificates translated and legalized if necessary.
Important dates: deadlines for requesting the agreement
The deadline to submit the application and benefit from the special agreement is open from June 1, 2024The deadline to apply for this mechanism is December 31th 2028.
It's advisable not to wait until the final months, as contributions will begin to appear earlier in your working life, and if you pass up the opportunity, after that date it won't be possible to recover unpaid internship years.
Where and how do I apply? Completely online process
Management can be done in a 100% telematics through Electronic Headquarters of the General Treasury of Social Security. You must access the corresponding section of “Procedures and Management of Special Agreements”, selecting the option “Registration, cancellation or change of data of the special agreement”.
Once inside, upload your documentation, complete the forms, and verify that all the information matches your academic and employment history. You can also request an appointment in person, but going online is currently the fastest way.
How much does it cost to add up these years of contributions?
It is important to know that this process it is not freeThe Government has set amounts to finance these past contributions, calculating the amount according to the following criteria:
- The reference contribution base It will be the year in which you completed your internship, not the current one. This ensures proportionality and avoids penalizing those who completed internships decades ago.
- The monthly cost currently ranges between 40 and 140 euros for each month recovered, depending on the year and the minimum contribution base of group 7 of the General Regime.
- The total can be paid in two ways: in a single payment o divided into monthly installments (usually up to a maximum of 84).
For periods between 1980 and 2006, the range generally varies within these amounts, but it's always a good idea to consult the official calculation before making a decision. Furthermore, the monthly amount is multiplied by a reduction coefficient of 0,77, as established by regulations, which can represent a small saving.
What happens after I pay my contributions?
Once your application is approved and payment is made (total or partial, if you choose the split option), you will see the new contribution period is reflected in your working life in the following months. These extra years can make a difference in the amount of your pension and, in some cases, can help you meet the requirements for ordinary or early retirement without reduction factors.
It's important to remember that if you contribute more than 15 years, you're eligible for the minimum contributory pension. However, if you reach 35-37 years of contributions through this aid, you'll have more options to retire at age 65, rather than having to wait until age 66 and 8 months, or age 67 starting in 2027.
It is also possible for those who have already regularized up to 2 years of internships in the past, with the old regulations, can now add up to a total of 5 years, thus benefiting from the new limit.
Exclusions and nuances: who cannot benefit
Although the agreement has a fairly broad spectrum, there are some major limitations:
- Those who are already in are left out. retirement situation or have been recognized as having permanent disability (although exceptions are contemplated in the law for very specific cases).
- It does not apply to internships that have already been correctly quoted, nor to periods carried out outside the established deadlines.
- The request can only be made once: select and document all possible periods before submitting the request.
Social Security advises that each application will be reviewed individually, so if you have questions about any details, consult an experienced advisor or contact the National Social Security Institute directly.
Benefits and practical examples of the measure
The impact of this measure may be very positive For those who do not reach the minimum contribution, or wish to improve their future pension:
- Allows access to the ordinary contributory pension upon reaching the minimum age of 15, including unpaid internship experience.
- By adding years and increasing the regulatory base, The amount of the monthly pension will also increase.
- It is possible to reach the 35-37 years of contributions required to retire before age 67, something particularly important given the reforms planned for 2027.
- It improves the protection of young people who once worked as interns or students without paying social security contributions and can now receive fair recognition.
For example, if a person contributed for only 13 years and completed two unpaid internships between 1998 and 2000, they could now add those two years to reach the required 15 years and secure the right to a pension.
What if I can't pay all at once? Installment payment options
Many people are wondering if it is mandatory to pay the full amount of the retroactive contributions at once. The good news is that the government allows this. installment payment, usually up to a maximum of 84 monthly payments, all via direct debit. This system allows those who want to take advantage of the measure to avoid having to pay a large sum all at once, adapting to different economic situations.
Other frequently asked questions about the special agreement
If I've already recovered years of contributions under previous regulations, can I add more now? Yes, you can reach up to 5 years in total., even if you had previously recovered 2 years thanks to previous legal promotions.
What happens if my internship was abroad? You can also benefit, provided they can be certified by the corresponding international organization or university and are comparable.
Can I request regularization for several discontinuous periods? Yes, as long as they are properly documented. and do not exceed the limit of 1.825 days in total.
Does paying these extra years of contributions entitle you to unemployment benefits? No, only counts toward ordinary, contributory retirement. It does not count toward unemployment benefits or toward calculating available unemployment benefits.
Added benefits and practical tips
If you have the opportunity to benefit from this special agreement, you can mark a fundamental difference in your quality of life after retirement. Of course, before taking the step:
- Take a thorough look at your academic and professional life so you don't miss any periods.
- Request all certificates as soon as possible, especially if years have passed since your internship.
- Consult the Social Security simulation tool or request advice to find out exactly how it affects your particular case.
- Choose the most appropriate payment method and prepare to process your application online, which is currently the fastest way.
Social Security estimates a resolution period of up to 6 months from the date of submission, although in practice it may be less if the documentation provided is complete and accurate.
Also, if you qualify, it can be an opportunity to improve your retirement future. Taking advantage of this resource could be the key to transforming your retirement.