Social Security

To grant old age, disability or widowhood pensions based on contributions made to the former Old Age and Disability Insurance or on having been affiliated with the Worker Retirement Scheme.

The people who meet the requirements established  for each type of pension.

• Old Age: Having reached the age of 65, or 60 in the case of old age with disability, and having made 1,800 days of contribution payments prior to 01/01/1967 or having been affiliated with the Worker Retirement Scheme.
  
  
• Disability: 1,800 days of contributions made to SOVI , as well as being 50 years old and unable to work.
  
  
• Widows/Widowers: The requirements depend on the date of death of the originator and on whether or not they were a pensioner.

The fixed amount  for the old age, disability and widowhood pension  is 395.70 euros per month.

When the widowhood pension and the SOVI pension are concurrent, the total amount may not exceed twice the amount of the minimum widowhood pension established at any given time for beneficiaries over the age of 65. If it exceeds this limit, the amount of the SOVI pension will be reduced by the amount required to avoid exceeding the specified limit.

Old Age: It is paid from the day after reaching the age of 65 if the application is submitted within the 30 subsequent days.  If  it is submitted later, it is paid from the first day of the month after that in which it was submitted.

Disability: Paid from the first day of the month following the date the application is received by the National Social Security Institute (INSS).

Widows/Widowers:

• If the originator was not a SOVI pensioner and the application is submitted within a year of the death, it is paid from the first day of the month following that of the death. If it is submitted later, it is backdated one year from the date of the application.
  
• If the originator was a SOVI pensioner and the application is submitted within three months of the death, it is paid from the month following that of the death. If it is submitted later, it is paid with three months backdating.

The pension is paid monthly with two extra payments that are paid with the June and November monthly payments.

SOVI pensions are incompatible with each other and with receiving another pension from the current Social Security System, except for any widowhood pension to which the beneficiary may be entitled. However, beneficiaries may exercise their right to choose the most favourable pension.

The granting of SOVI pensions  must be resolved and notified to the interested party within the following periods:

• Old Age and Widowhood: 90 days.
• Disability: 135 days.

Old Age: On the pensioner's death.
Disability: Due to loss of disability status or death.
Widowhood: Upon marriage or death.

Application for the retirement, disability, and widowhood pension.

The documents to be submitted to process the pension are listed on the application form for retirement,  disability and widowhood.

At the Social Security Support and Information Centres..

Management and recognition of the right to the former SOVI pensions is the responsibility of the National Social Security Institute (INSS).