The Different Forms of Permanent Disability
Social Security provides several vital benefits for many people, including retirement, widow’s or orphan’s pensions, as well as benefits for those with permanent disabilities. The latter is intended for people who, due to accidents or illnesses, cannot carry out their work duties as before. Beneficiaries have different degrees of disability depending on the severity, which include partial, total, absolute and severe disability.
The Different Degrees of Disability
Permanent partial disability refers to a decrease of no less than 33% in work performance, while total disability completely prevents work functions. On the other hand, the absolute leaves the person incapacitated for any profession, and the great invalidity is certified when the person needs assistance for the most basic activities.
Amount of the Permanent Disability Pension
The amount of this pension is determined by the regulatory base and the percentage applied according to the degree of permanent disability. For example, a partial permanent disability is compensated with a lump-sum compensation (single payment) corresponding to 24 monthly payments. Total permanent disability equals 55% of the regulatory base and, from the age of 55, this percentage increases by 20%.
Calculation example
To illustrate this, let’s take the case of a person with a regulatory base of 2,000 euros. In this case, the pension would be 1,100 euros (55%). When he turns 55, this amount would increase to 1,500 euros (75%). People with an absolute permanent disability receive 100% of the regulatory base, while those in a situation of great disability receive an additional supplement.
Quantitative Limits and Future Implications
The Social Security has established a limit regarding the maximum amounts to be received. A beneficiary of any kind of contributory pension cannot earn more than 3,175 euros per month or an amount higher than 44,450.6 euros per year. In addition, many beneficiaries have doubts about what will happen when they reach the minimum retirement age. According to the Social Security Law, it is not possible to receive both pensions, and the larger benefit will be automatically allocated.