Spending on unemployment benefits rises 10% as unemployment falls

So far this year, SEPE has incurred expenses of… 5.4 billion euros Only for this assistance are received by those who have exhausted the benefit of the contribution. The bulk of this amount is intended to cover the support received by people over the age of 52, more than 453,000 Spaniards who find themselves in that situation. They are acting approximately 55% Of the 834,197 citizens covered by this economic support, which is called “assistance” by the Ministry of Labor. In November last year, when the reform was launched, there were 762,141 Spaniards who had this benefit, of whom 442,811 were over 52 years old. In less than a year, the beneficiaries of this procedure were designed for those of their age The last period of working life The rights are not lost upon retirement. It increased by 3%, which widens the gap with what happened in the labor market: A Job growth 2.5% according to the EPA, and Decrease in the number of unemployed 5% according to the latest ministries’ data.

This general increase in support spending is explained by the increase in the number of beneficiaries and the economic conditions borne by the public treasury after the changes approved by Congress with the approval of Podemos, which required maintaining the economic conditions of this program. The monthly amount received by those over 52 years old is 480 eurosalthough the key lies in the contribution borne by the state: 125% based on SMI, 1,381 euros. That is, the public treasury pays a monthly amount of 502 euros per month for social security for this group.

The other part that explains spending on support is the increase in the amounts received by those under 52 years of age. Since November 1, the amount has passedOr from 480 to 570 euros per month,90 more on each payroll. Although from that moment it decreased to 540 euros, in the following six months; And up to 480 euros for the rest of the support period.

The generation gap has also been transferred to unemployment aid: Over 50 years old, 70% Beneficiaries of the subsidy. There are approximately 540,000 citizens living in this state, compared to 230,000 citizens below that age group, although the majority of them are over 40 years old. On the contrary, 42% of beneficiaries of contributory unemployment – which is granted after losing a job for a maximum of two years – are under the age of 40.

“inhibitory” action

Along with the renewed support, the Assistance to Employment Extension (CAE), a formula to make it job-compliant, is included. Until September it was almost there 69,000 citizens In this case, according to the Labor Party. This number is still at a minimum. In fact, the consolidation of support among the elderly is explained because “there are many disincentives to work as planned,” notes José Ignacio Conde Ruiz, professor of economics at UCM and deputy director of Fedea. He points out, “We must encourage the activation of this group.” Employment policies and making aid permanent With function.

Now this possibility is only applicable during Six months. “We need this group to work towards the aging of the population itself, as there are fewer and fewer young people,” notes Conde Ruiz. It suggests a type of salary supplement that can be reduced if that person’s salary increases.

The Independent Authority for Financial Responsibility (Airef) has verified this. “Increases in the duration of support to unemployment as a result of the 2019 reform, an issue that was not substantively addressed in the 2024 regulations. He noted that there was a “cumulative effect” for recipients in the two years prior to the minimum age for receiving aid. When this was From 55 yearsMost companies have extended the activity of their employees until that moment so that they can receive support. When it dropped to 52 years, the average lifespan also dropped.

Now the government will do it An evaluation of how it works Support in its first year. It was a commitment from the Ministry of Labor compared to the Ministry of Economy, after the clash between Yolanda Díaz and Nadia Calviño.

The situation that self employed This aid has also crept around. Second Vice President Yolanda Diaz has closed the door on her collection, a measure demanded by the ATA, UPTA and Uatae, pending reform of severance benefits.