La Massana Council Approves Equal-Contribution Staff Pension Reform

La Massana parish council has unanimously approved an updated staff pension plan, matching employee contributions up to 4% of salary to promote equal participation and align with public procurement laws.

Public sector workers who have passed probation can now choose to allocate 1%, 2%, 3%, or 4% of their salary into personalized accounts, with the council providing an identical amount. This could double contributions to 8% in the highest case. Previously, the parish covered 4.5% into a collective fund while staff paid 1% toward CASS contributions. The new system separates pension benefits from CASS supplements, splitting that 1% evenly between employees and the council.

Minor Consul Roger Fité presented the changes at Monday's session, emphasizing adaptation to the public contracting law framework, similar to models used by the Government and other administrations. He stressed "parity in contributions" and allowing each worker to tailor the plan to their needs. Increases in contribution levels are limited to once per year for budget forecasting, while reductions can occur anytime.

Consul Eva Sansa confirmed the fund remains fully accessible. Former costs exceeded €100,000 annually from the parish's 4.5% share; future expenses will depend on individual choices, with staff set to confirm selections through an upcoming tender.

The reform addresses prior irregularities flagged by Audit Office reports and a prosecutorial investigation—still open at the Batllia court—against the parish's long-term former comptroller, now on voluntary leave. It fulfills calls from opposition councillor Guillem Forné for urgent safeguards.

Fité noted the plan applies only to post-probation staff and caps annual adjustments for fiscal planning. Sansa separately expressed hope for a proposed law to formalize regular consuls' meetings, expecting parliamentary debate in September, while regretting tensions between the Government and Escaldes parish over rental contracts. She urged collaboration across parishes on housing issues, regardless of politics.