How Spain's Pension Changes Hit Women Harder

In Spain, a significant change occurred in 2011 to the pension system. The goal was to ensure its long-term stability. However, the reform inadvertently made life harder for women. Here's why:

The Impact on Women

Women frequently take career breaks to care for family, resulting in shorter work histories. The new rules required more years of work to qualify for a full pension, disproportionately affecting women. Many were forced to work longer to avoid reduced benefits.

Reversing Progress

Prior to the reform, the gender pension gap was narrowing. Post-2011, this progress halted. Women were compelled to delay retirement, an outcome deemed unfair.

The Study

A study of over 100,000 retirees between 2010 and 2020 revealed that the new rules disproportionately impacted women. While the changes appeared equitable on paper, they created real-world challenges for women.

The Solution

The system needs flexibility. It should acknowledge caregiving as valuable work, ensuring fair retirement benefits for all.