Andorra Pension Gap Leaves Low-Disability Recipients Without Aid at 60

The Defensor de l’Afiliat at the CASS continues to highlight a protection gap in Andorra’s social security system that risks leaving some invalidity pension recipients vulnerable when their benefits convert to retirement pensions at age 60. Gerard Farré’s 2025 activity report flags that individuals with disability ratings below 60% from the Comissió Nacional de Valoració (Conava)—yet previously eligible for invalidity pensions due to at least 60% loss of earning capacity—may fall short of the social cohesion economic threshold after the switch. They lack access to pension top-ups or Affairs Socials benefits until age 65, with no dedicated coverage available. The office has identified two such cases so far, estimating up to 20 people could be affected. Farré has urged the CASS Board of Directors to consider whether this points to coordination issues between social protection systems.

The report also flags regulatory shortcomings in public funding for assisted human reproduction techniques, based on four consultations received in 2025. Although CASS practice allows one year to complete authorised medical procedures, no explicit deadline appears in the regulations or standard resolutions. Farré calls for clear communication to users on these timelines, along with defined criteria for funded treatment cycles, to ensure transparency and legal certainty. He suggests including such details in prior approval resolutions or prompting ministerial review for potential updates. Technical meetings have already clarified some application points.

Other concerns included confusion over paternity benefits when mothers lacked sufficient contributions for maternity leave, often mixing labour rest rights with economic entitlements. Frequent issues involved medical checks for temporary incapacity, invalidity pensions and self-employed contribution adjustments.

Throughout 2025, the office managed 132 files for 132 individuals, with 133 in-person visits and 43 phone consultations. It handled 38 claims, 100 information requests and 40 complaints—14 on treatment received, nine on resolution delays and 17 on insufficient information. Top issues were reimbursements (30 cases), temporary incapacity checks (22) and invalidity pensions (21), with an average resolution time of 9.7 days despite eight files taking over 30 days.