If after the death of a member of the couple, the surviving spouse cannot access the widow’s pension because one of the requirements required for this is not met (existence of common children or marriage celebrated one year prior to death) or the surviving member of the de facto couple does not meet the requirements (registration as a de facto couple or supporting document two years prior to death), may collect a temporary widow’s benefit, provided that they meet the rest of the required conditions.
Requirements for collecting temporary widow’s benefits
The BBVA Pension Institute compiles these benefits, as well as the duration of this benefit and its amount.
- If the death is due to a common illness, they are necessary 500 days of contributions within an uninterrupted period of 5 years immediately prior to death or the date on which the obligation to contribute ceased (similar situation without obligation to contribute).
- If death is due to an accident, whether work-related or not, no prior contribution period is required..
- The Recipients of retirement or permanent disability pensions They could also be eligible for temporary widow’s pension (in favour of their spouse or common-law partner) if the requirements for qualifying for a widow’s pension are not met.
How long does it take and how much does it cost?
The amount of the temporary widow’s benefit is the same as the widow’s pension that would have corresponded to you, and will have a duration of 2 years. The benefit will generally amount to: 52% of the regulatory base. However, the percentage will be 70% of the regulatory base when these requirements are met:
- That the beneficiary of the benefit has family responsibilities. This means having children or foster children under 26 years of age or with a disability equal to or greater than 33%.
- That the income of the family unit, including the pensioner himself, divided by the number of members that make it up, does not exceed, on an annual basis, 75% of the SMI.
- That the widow’s pension constitutes the main or only source of income, understanding that this requirement is met when the annual amount of the pension is greater than 50% of the pensioner’s total income.
- That their annual income does not exceed the amount resulting from adding the limit of the minimum supplements for contributory pensions to the annual amount of the minimum pension for widows with family responsibilities.
The percentage that will be applied to the regulatory base to calculate the pension amount will be 60% for those over 65 years of age if they meet these requirements:
- That the beneficiary is not entitled to a public pension and does not receive income from work for others or for himself.
- That he or she does not receive other income in an amount greater than the limits required to access the minimum widow’s pension.
Calculation of the regulatory base (on which to apply the percentages mentioned to determine the temporary widow’s benefit) varies depending on the previous situation of the deceased and the event giving rise to the pension.