Early retirement is once again among the main concerns of workers and future pensioners in Spain. The Social Security has confirmed that the system will continue evaluating the cases in which it is possible to advance the retirement age through reducing coefficients, a mechanism that allows anticipating retirement with respect to the ordinary age.
The procedure is regulated by Royal Decree 402/2025, which establishes how the professions or situations in which this system can be applied are analyzed.
What are reducing coefficients in retirement
The reducing coefficients are a mechanism that allows to advance the retirement age in certain professions or personal situations.
In these cases, the system recognizes that there are especially hard jobs or specific conditions that justify a retirement before the ordinary age.
According to Social Security, the use of these coefficients implies an adjustment in the contribution system and is applied in accordance with the principle of equity and contributory justice.
Who can retire earlier without penalty
There are some cases in which it is possible to advance retirement without a reduction in the amount of the pension.
Among them stand out:
- People with a disability equal to or greater than 65%, who can bring forward retirement with respect to the ordinary age without penalty in the pension if they meet the contribution requirements.
- Certain professional groups, such as firefighters, who can apply specific reduction coefficients.
For example, in the case of firefighters, with at least 35 years of effective service they can retire at 59 years old instead of 60, applying a reduction coefficient for each year worked.
Retirement age in Spain in 2026
The ordinary retirement age continues to increase progressively within the schedule foreseen by the reform of the system.
In 2026, the retirement age is set at:
- 65 years for those who have contributed 38 years and 3 months or more.
- 66 years and 10 months for those who have contributed less time.
- The system foresees that the legal age will reach 67 years in 2027.
The debate on early retirement
The application of reducing coefficients and access to early retirement continue to be one of the most debated topics within the pension system.
The Social Security has indicated that an evaluation commission with ministerial representatives and social agents will analyze the different scenarios before authorizing new groups or conditions that allow advancing retirement.