Every year, the State pays an extra amount to a specific group of pensioners, but many remain unaware that this support exists. This is the Special Pension Supplement, a benefit granted annually in October and intended to compensate former combatants who performed military service in difficult or dangerous conditions. According to Notícias ao Minuto, this supplement is financed directly by the State and can be accumulated with several pensions, as long as the beneficiary meets the criteria defined by Social Security.
Social Security explains that this support was created to recognize the impact of military service provided in demanding scenarios, often associated with operational risk. The amount varies depending on the bonus service time and is paid automatically after validation of the certification issued by the Ministry of National Defense. Although the supplement has existed for several years, the lack of publicity means that many former combatants never request the necessary certification to be included in the annual payment.
Who is entitled to the Special Pension Supplement
According to Notícias ao Minuto, the supplement covers former combatants who receive disability or old-age pensions from the general Social Security regime. The right also extends to people covered by Social Security systems in other States of the European Union, the European Economic Area and Switzerland, as long as these systems provide for the totalization of contribution periods.
Social Security also clarifies that anyone who has been enrolled in other social protection systems through international agreements signed by Portugal can also have access to the supplement, as long as they have been a beneficiary of the national regime at some point in their contributory career.
In addition to these cases, Notícias ao Minuto states that subscribers to the Caixa Geral de Aposentações and beneficiaries of the Lawyers and Solicitors Pension Fund are also entitled to the supplement, with the respective paying entities being responsible for the allocation.
Support can be combined with several pensions, but there are exceptions
The supplement can be received together with an old-age, disability or survivor’s pension (in this case, only by the widow). However, according to Notícias ao Minuto, it cannot be combined with the Lifetime Pension Increase for former combatants nor with the Special Pension Supplement, to avoid duplication of benefits intended for the same purpose.
How much will you earn in 2025
According to Social Security, the value of the supplement depends on the duration of the bonus military service. The amounts defined for 2025 are:
Up to 11 months: 93.50 euros
Between 12 and 23 months: 124.65 euros
Equal to or greater than 24 months: 186.95 euros
Payment is annual and made in October, without the need to renew the application once the certification has been issued.
An important support that many are unaware of
According to , this supplement continues to be little publicized, despite representing a relevant financial reinforcement for thousands of former combatants.
The Social Security recommendation is clear: anyone who believes they have provided service under special conditions must request certification from the Ministry of National Defense, thus ensuring that they do not lose the right to annual payment.
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