The mandatory military service, eliminated in Spain more than two decades ago, continues to have an impact today on thousands of retirement files. More and more workers are reviewing their employment history with a specific question:Can that time help improve their pension or retire early?
The answer is nuanced, but relevant: it can count as credited time, although with specific conditions and a maximum limit.
Up to one year of recognized contributions
The regulation allows those who did military service or the substitute social service to add up to one year of contributions to their record. This recognition is not automatic, but it can be decisive in certain cases.
Specifically, it has an impact on early retirement, where minimum contribution periods are required:
- 35 years for voluntary early retirement
- 33 years for involuntary early retirement
In this context, that additional year can make the difference between being able to retire or being left out for a few months.
No pension improves
It is important to clarify that military service is not automatically added to all records nor does it directly increase the pension amount.
Its main function is to complete the minimum required years, not to increase the regulatory base in an ordinary retirement. Therefore, its impact depends on the specific case.
Experts recommend analyzing each situation individually, since not all workers who did military service will be able to benefit. The same logic applies to those who did not perform military service, but did fulfill the substitute social service. This period can also be counted under similar conditions, with the same limit of 12 months.
How to request that military service count towards retirement
For this period to be recognized, the interested party must officially accredit the period completed. The process includes:
- Request a certificate at the Delegation of the Ministry of Defense
- Provide documentation such as DNI, military booklet or proof of service
- Present that certificate to the Social Security
In the case of the substitute service, it will be necessary to provide the equivalent documentation.
An opportunity that can change the record
Although it is not a universal benefit, the recognition of military service can be key for certain profiles. In some cases, that additional year allows unlocking early retirements or avoiding delays in accessing the pension.
That is why reviewing this point can make the difference at a key moment: the transition from working life to retirement.