Demòcrates to Extend 10% Pension Boost to 60 Early-Retired Public Workers

The parliamentary group of Demòcrates has confirmed it will table a budget amendment to extend a 10% pension increase to around 60 public sector workers who took early retirement in 2025, up from an initial plan covering only about 10 mandatory retirees that year.

This follows recent negotiations between the Public Function department and the retirees' branch of the USdA union, with the change fulfilling a side agreement tied to broader civil service salary negotiations. Sources from the Demòcrates group cited the limited number of beneficiaries—precisely 58 early retirees between 1 January and 8 October 2025—as well as budgetary feasibility, noting it aligns with polishing details like uniform allowances after the main pact's signature.

Union representatives had pressed for the inclusion, arguing that early retirees lacked full visibility into the eventual salary deal during their decisions. They highlighted government announcements during talks that did not fully materialise, potentially affecting choices. Feedback from other groups, including education retirees, the Sindicat de l'Ensenyament Públic (SEP), ABA affiliates, and USdA retirees, also urged extending benefits regardless of retirement type.

The meeting advanced other issues. Officials committed to hiring a specialised firm to examine retirement conditions from 2015 to 2023, inviting input from those affected on possible changes. Retirements from 2024, however, fall outside this review and stay under existing terms.

Retirees voiced dissatisfaction with the raise's delivery through salary grid adjustments, viewing it as overly narrow despite originating from a union-signed deal on fund distribution. They have also sought the October productivity bonus given to active civil servants, calling it compensatory for past performance evaluation shortfalls. Union sources countered that the bonus addresses delays in implementing AVAC—the GAdA successor, due mid-2026—rather than GAdA itself, which remains under separate career progression discussions. Earlier proposals had floated targeted compensation, such as for those stalled at 80% of their salary band due to administrative hurdles, while sparing others who progressed via supplements or GAdA.