The Guides to Social Policy Law is a collection of publications designed to assist decision makers administering social policy law. The information contained in this publication is intended only as a guide to relevant legislation/policy. The information is accurate as at the date listed at the bottom of the page, but may be subject to change. To discuss individual circumstances please contact Services Australia.

10.6.5.20 Totalising to Qualify for a Spanish Benefit

Totalising to qualify for a Spanish benefit

Article 11 - Totalisation for Spain - covers totalisation in order to qualify for a Spanish benefit.

Spain counts Australian working life residence as Spanish creditable periods when totalising for Spanish benefits.

Before a person can totalise for Spanish benefits they must have a minimum of one day as a Spanish creditable period.

Spanish law requires a person who is claiming a Spanish benefit to be validly insured and to meet all other requirements for pension. This is know as situación de alta and would normally only be met by someone in Spain. Article 16 of the Agreement deems Australian residents and pensioners to meet the requirement.

Paragraph 4 of Article 11 says that for women Spain counts Australian working life residence as between 16 years and when the woman reaches Spanish age pension age, which is 65 years.

Act reference: SS(IntAgree)Act Schedule 5 Spain

Last reviewed: 9 November 2015

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