The update of the Social Support Index will increase several Social Security benefits in 2026, from unemployment benefits to family benefits. The value of the IAS is expected to rise to 537 euros, according to calculations released by Lusa, and this increase will have a direct impact on the income of hundreds of thousands of beneficiaries.
The rise results from the legal formula that combines economic growth and inflation, according to data from the National Statistics Institute. The same rule determines that the increase is applied from January onwards, reflecting the evolution recorded throughout the year.
The IAS is the basis for calculating numerous social benefits and serves as a transversal reference in legislation. According to Lusa, this amount is expected to increase by 2.8 percent in 2026, from 522.50 euros to around 537.13 euros.
Unemployment benefit is one of the benefits that directly depends on the IAS. The minimum and maximum amount, as well as the global limit that conditions the allocation, will be updated depending on the new value.
The same happens with social inclusion income, sickness benefit, death benefits and limits on access to various types of support.
According to the same source, this increase will also have an impact on family benefits. The IAS update influences the categories defined by income and can change the amount received by many households. Access to scholarships and student support supplements also depends on this indicator.
How to calculate the new value
The annual update of the IAS is defined by law. The formula takes into account the average growth rate of Gross Domestic Product in the previous two years and the average variation in inflation without housing. According to the publication, definitive data will be known in December, but the current estimate allows the value to be anticipated.
The calculation is based on the average economic growth calculated between the fourth quarter of one year and the third quarter of the following. The inflation considered is that of the last twelve months, not including housing, ensuring that the reference follows economic conditions in a stable manner.
The impact of these social supports on families in 2026
In addition to influencing the amounts paid, the IAS also determines access to various social supports in 2026. According to , the update may change eligibility limits, making room for more families to be covered.
Social insertion income, the solidarity supplement for the elderly and disability support are among the benefits whose classification depends on this indicator.
The increase in the IAS may also affect the definition of partial unemployment benefit or the increase applicable in situations of single-parent families. The update will have an impact on minimum and maximum installments, reflecting the limits established for 2026.
With the increase of around fourteen euros expected, the value should come into force on January 1st. According to the publication, this number may still undergo adjustments when definitive inflation data are known, but the trend remains stable.
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