Special agreement with the Social Security
Secure your retirement even without a job!
What is the special agreement?
The “Convenio Especial con la Seguridad Social” (Special Agreement with the Social Security) in Spain is a tool that allows any person to continue contributing voluntarily when he/she is no longer obliged to do so (because he/she is not working, is not self-employed or is not registered in any other way, etc.).
It is designed to maintain, complete, or improve your contribution history and not lose acquired rights, especially for retirement. This is especially useful if:
- You have worked for many years and now you are in a period of inactivity.
- You are abroad and do not contribute in Spain.
- You have terminated a contract but want to keep your rights until you find a new job.
- You want to access or improve the calculation of future benefits (retirement, disability, widowhood...).
How does it work?
If you are registered in the Special Agreement with the Social Security, the dynamics with the Social Security work as follows:
You are the voluntary contributor
There is no employer behind it: you assume the payment of contributions every month, as if you were your own Social Security payer.
Monthly Social Security payments
Once the agreement has been approved, each month you must pay the corresponding contribution according to the base chosen and the applicable contribution rate (in general, 28.3% for retirement).
Total contribution time for pension purposes
The months that you contribute under the collective bargaining agreement count the same as if you were working, but only for certain benefits, such as: retirement, permanent disability, widowhood and orphanhood.
You can modify or cancel the agreement
You can order:
- Change the contribution base (once a year).
- Suspend or terminate the agreement if you return to contributing as an employee or self-employed worker.
- Cancel it definitively if you are no longer interested.
Special agreement with Social Security
In Spain-
Submission of the proof of submission of the application.
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Online follow-up
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Personal advisor with unlimited advice.
Main application requirements
- Have contributed at least 1,080 days (3 years) in the last 12 years.
- Be outside any mandatory contribution regime (i.e. not be an employee or self-employed).
- Apply for it within a maximum period of 1 year since you ceased to be registered.
Documentation
To apply for the Special Agreement with the Social Security you need to present:
- Filled TA.0040 form: You must select the type of agreement and the desired contribution base.
- Proof of termination of employment or cessation of activity: It can be the termination of employment, company certificate, self-employed termination resolution, etc. It serves to demonstrate that you no longer contribute in any other way.
- Valid DNI or NIE
- Social Security number (NUSS)
- Additional documentation related to your specific case.
Avoid mistakes! Talk to an expert before applying for the special agreement
Do you have doubts about whether you can access the Special Agreement or how it would affect your pension? Schedule a consultation with one of our experts and receive personalized advice according to your case.
Frequently asked questions
General info
How long does it take for the agreement to be approved?
The usual period for the Social Security to approve an application for the Special Agreement is between 1 and 2 months, although it may vary slightly depending on the province and the workload of the corresponding office.
Once approved, you will receive an official notification, and the monthly fee will begin to be charged to the bank account you have indicated for payment.
Can I apply for the agreement from abroad?
Yes, it is possible to apply for the Special Agreement from outside Spain, as long as you have contributed in Spain for at least 1,080 days (3 years) in the last 12 years and you are not contributing to the system of another country.
In these cases, the Social Security may require additional documentation such as a certificate stating that you are not contributing in your current country of residence.
How much does it cost to pay contributions for this agreement?
The monthly cost of the Special Agreement depends on the contribution base you choose. The Social Security allows you to choose between a minimum and a maximum base within the limits established each year.
The general contribution rate applied is 28.30% on the chosen base.
Do you want to know exactly how much you would pay if you apply for the Special Agreement? The Social Security offers an official tool called automatic calculation of special agreements, where you can simulate your monthly payment according to the contribution base you choose.
What happens if I go back to work or become an autónomo?
If you start a new activity as an employee or register as self-employed, the Special Agreement is automatically suspended, since the requirement of “not paying contributions through any other obligatory means” is no longer met.
During the time that you pay contributions for your new activity, you will not have to pay the agreement, but it will not be extinguished and you will be able to reactivate it later or, if the new activity is temporary, you can return to the agreement without starting a new application from scratch.
Process
How does it work?
- One of our experts will contact you quickly to start analyzing your case in depth and tell you the best process to follow, step by step.
- You will know which is the necessary documentation you need to provide and you will also be able to contact us to solve any doubts you may have.
- We will start the procedure immediately and inform you of how it is going, always keeping you up to date with any notifications.
What documentation do I need to hire?
Depending on each case, the documentation to be provided is different.
When you sign up for one of the plans, we will analyze your case and contact you to tell you the exact documentation you need to provide.
Payment
What is the price and method of payment?
You can see the prices we offer in our pricing section (+21% VAT).
Payments must be made by debit or credit card.
Our prices are fair and transparent: you only pay for what you need.
Can I request a refund of my money?
Yes, you can request cancellation of the service as long as your personal advisor has NOT started to manage your documentation to initiate the procedure.
The money will be refunded to your card in less than 14 days. See our Commercial Conditions.
Our team
How do I contact the advisor handling my case?
Is there another way to contact Entre Trámites?
We want to listen to you and know what your doubts are or what you need in relation to our services. You can count on the advice of our experts to clarify all your doubts.
Write to us at [email protected] and we will contact you as soon as possible or, if you prefer, call us.
