In Portugal, the assignment of an old age pension is usually dependent on working and discounted for social security for at least 15 years. However, there is an alternative for those who do not gather these conditions: the social pension of old age, attributed to citizens who have never contributed or who did not complete the required guarantee period.
According to the information provided by Banco Santander, this financial support is granted from the normal age of access to the General Social Security regime, which this year is at 66 years and 7 months and, in 2026, at 66 and 9 months. At that time, those who have not discounted can require the social pension of old age.
Requirements for access to social pension
According to the same source, this pension is intended for those who have reached the legal age of reform and is not covered by any social protection regime. Old age or survival pensions whose value is lower than that of the social pension may also apply, provided they comply with the condition of resources.
The bank writes that this condition imposes boundaries of gross monthly income: up to 209 euros in the case of isolated person or up to 313.5 euros being a couple, values that correspond to 40% and 60% of the social support index (IAS).
Attributed amounts and additional support
The base value of the old age social pension is 255.25 euros monthly. In addition to this amount, the beneficiary also receives the extraordinary complement of solidarity (CES), automatically assigned. The amount of CES depends on age: 22.21 euros up to 70 years and 44.43 euros from this age.
It refers to the same source that the former combatants who benefit from this pension also receive a special annual complement, paid in October, equivalent to 7% of the social pension value for each year of military service, or to the twelfth of this amount for each month.
How to submit the application
Explains what the request should be made with the Social Security services through the Mod. RP5002-DGSS form. At the time of delivery, it is necessary to present documents such as Citizen Card, income statement, proof of IBAN and elements related to real estate heritage. In specific cases other proofs may be required, such as legal residence title or declaration of disability.
According to the same source, the application can be delivered in person at the social security counters or citizen stores, but also by post, sent to the competent services.
Compatibilities and exclusions
The Bank details that the social pension of old age can be accumulated with some support, such as the extraordinary complement of solidarity, the complement by dependence, the solidarity complement to the elderly, the social income of insertion, the survival pension or income to the limit of the condition of resources. However, it cannot be accumulated with the disability pension or social provision for inclusion.
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