Andorran legislators consider a bill granting early retirement at 60 to severely disabled workers aged

The Andorran government has submitted a qualified bill to the General Council aimed at safeguarding the rights of people with disabilities, featuring early retirement at age 60 for workers aged 55-64 facing severe or very severe impairments.

The legislation targets those with a recognised disability of at least 45%—classified as severe—accompanied by specific conditions or pathologies causing premature ageing, as well as individuals with 60% or higher impairments. An economic analysis forecasts that 23 people could benefit within five years, with six qualifying immediately upon passage at an estimated first-year cost of €80,000.

Breakdown shows that among 12 eligible with 45%+ ratings, three aged 60-64 would incur €19,933 annually (€6,644 each) from the start. The nine aged 55-59 would phase in over four years—three in year one, two in year two, two in year three, and two in year four—potentially totalling €126,050 yearly (€14,000 per person).

For the 11 with 60%+ ratings, three over 60 would add €57,063 immediately (€19,000 each), while eight aged 55-59 would gradually increase costs to €84,508 in a full scenario. Pensions would equal standard retirement levels, drawn from the social security system. The bill eliminates the prior automatic transition from invalidity to old-age pensions at 60, preserving non-contributory supplements worth €140,000 yearly for 23 of 54 invalidity recipients aged 55-59 (€6,000 each).

A transitional provision restores supplements for three individuals already shifted despite qualifying conditions, at nearly €35,000 annually. Similar relief for unspecified prior cases ranges from €500-€800 monthly per person.

The package also requires a national prevention plan, subject to periodic government review and updates. It would address prenatal and paediatric services, vaccinations, workplace and road safety, public health, accident reduction, healthy lifestyles, and aid for groups like the elderly, with possible input from appointed experts.

All projections assume full uptake and are estimates.

The Andorran Federation of Associations for People with Disabilities (FAAD) has urged swift approval of the bill this legislative term. President Diana Figueras expressed broad satisfaction, noting it incorporates the group's key demands, though more could always be sought. She cautioned against delays like those that stalled the universal accessibility law previously, forcing a restart.

With the bill now in parliamentary process, Figueras anticipates amendments from parties, including post-summer meetings already requested by one group and expected from others. Regulatory details remain pending, particularly around education rights such as Braille, sign language, and easy-read formats, plus ensuring disability recognition persists into retirement—currently lost upon CASS pension shifts.

Social Affairs Minister Trini Marín presented the bill late last June. Highlights include free legal aid for discrimination victims and minimum legal disability status for CASS group 2 invalidity pensioners or those with level 3 dependency per the Sociosanitary Assessment Commission (Covass).