With the increase in day-to-day expenses and pensions considered insufficient, many retirees in Spain are forced to continue working to pay the bills. One of these cases is that of David, a 75-year-old retired plumber, who shared his experience on the “La Linterna” program on COPE radio. “My pension is 500 euros and my wife’s is 1000”, he revealed, in a statement that once again highlighted the difficulties faced by self-employed workers.
Increasing contributions from self-employed workers has been at the center of public discussion in Spain. The initial proposal presented by Social Security provided for a monthly increase of between 17 and 206 euros, but after criticism from various sectors, the Executive ended up backtracking.
The Minister of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration, Elma Saiz, announced that the maximum increase would be R$14.75 per month, depending on the income and situation of each taxpayer, according to the digital newspaper.
Life after retirement
David, a 75-year-old retired plumber, is one of several examples that reflect the financial fragility of those who worked for decades on their own. In an interview with the program “La Linterna”, on COPE radio, he explained that the couple’s economic stability was only possible thanks to years of savings and investments. “My wife and I have worked our whole lives. She has a pension of R$1,000 and I have five hundred. If we hadn’t invested, it would be impossible to live on that,” he said.
He started working for himself at the age of 24, and even after reaching retirement age, he is still active. He explains that the couple’s monthly income is not enough to cover all essential expenses and, therefore, he continues to do small jobs to reinforce his income.
Retirees returning to work
The case of David, a 75-year-old retiree, shows how many pensioners continue working after retirement. In Spain, the return to the job market is frequent among those who conclude that the value of pensions is not enough to keep up with the increase in the cost of living, says the same source.
Expenses related to housing, fuel, food and medicine become a constant burden, and the available money often does not arrive until the end of the month. For this reason, many end up looking for small occupations or occasional jobs that allow them to maintain some stability.
The phenomenon does not just happen in Spain. In the United States, for example, there are media cases such as that of Vince, aged 90, who continues to work in a quick dinner restaurant, or Larry, who returned to work at the age of 77 to unload trucks.
Feeling of abandonment among independents
Inmaculada, owner of a small electrical material store in Madrid, also participated in the same radio program. Registered with the Special Regime for Self-Employed Workers, she shared the feeling of frustration experienced by many individual entrepreneurs. “Until they get rid of self-employed workers, they won’t stop. This is getting worse and worse”, he lamented, quoted by Noticias Trabajo.
The Portuguese reality
In Portugal, the situation of self-employed workers and pensioners with reduced pensions has also raised concerns. According to data from Pordata, around a third of retirees receive less than 500 euros per month, an amount that is often not enough to cover basic expenses such as housing and food.
In recent years, the Portuguese Government has sought to reinforce minimum pensions and create support for independent workers. Still, the rising cost of living and inflation continue to make everyday life difficult for those who have worked all their lives and now face old age with limited income.
As a curiosity, you should also know that in several European countries the number of retirees looking for part-time jobs or small occasional jobs to supplement their pension and maintain greater financial independence has increased.
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