Retirement age in Spain rises to 67 in 2027
Spain’s retirement age reaches 67 next year, but you could still retire at 65 depending on how long you’ve paid into the system
Are you already dreaming of the day you can relegate the suit to the back of the wardrobe in favour of flip-flops, and finally trade the office for the beach? If retirement is somewhere on your horizon, there are some important changes coming in Spain in 2027.
The country is reaching the end of a gradual increase in the state retirement age that began back in 2013. From next year, the standard retirement age will be 67 for people who haven’t built up 38 years and 6 months of social security contributions.
However, there’s an important exception. If you’ve paid into the Spanish system for at least 38 years and 6 months, you’ll still be able to retire at 65.
So, if you’re wondering whether the new 67-year retirement age automatically applies to you, the answer is no. It all comes down to your contribution record.
The change also affects people who are considering retiring early. From 2027, voluntary early retirement will normally be possible up to two years before your standard retirement age. That means you’ll generally need to be 65 if you have less than 38 years and 6 months of contributions, while those who have reached that contribution threshold can retire early from 63.
There are different rules for involuntary early retirement, such as when someone loses their job in circumstances that allow them to qualify. From 2027, the minimum age will be 63 for people with less than 38 years and 6 months of contributions and 61 for those who have reached that threshold.
Partial retirement rules are also changing. From next year, people with fewer than 38 years and 6 months of contributions can access it from 64, while those with a longer contribution record can do so from 62, subject to the other requirements of the scheme.
Another change that could affect future pension payments is the amount of time used to calculate the pension.
The system is gradually moving towards a choice between two calculation methods. By 2037, people will be able to choose between using their last 29 years of contributions, with the 24 worst months left out, or sticking with the existing calculation based on the last 25 years.
The change is being introduced gradually. In 2027, pensions will be calculated either under the existing 25-year system or using 308 months of contributions, around 25 years and 8 months, with the four worst months excluded.
There’s also a small change coming to the amount workers and employers contribute towards the pension system.
The Intergenerational Equity Mechanism, known as the MEI, will increase to 1% in 2027. Employers will pay 0.83% and employees 0.17%. The additional contribution is designed to help Spain cover the rising cost of pensions as the large baby boomer generation reaches retirement.
If you’re planning your retirement in Spain, particularly if you’ve worked in more than one country, it’s worth checking your individual contribution record rather than assuming the new 67-year rule automatically applies to you.
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Address
C/Regidor Cayetano Gago S/N 30100 Espinardo Murcia ESPANA Tel: (+34)968 368 200
Terra Natura Murcia, wildlife and adventure water park in the outskirts of the city of Murcia
Terra Natura Murcia is one of the most important and spectacular animal and nature parks in western Spain, and is one of a new generation of wildlife parks in which visitors can discover the concept of what's called "Zooinmersión."
The aim of this is recreate a habitat which gives an experience of being at one with the wildlife viewed in the park, so to this end more than 500 examples of 50 species of vegetation have been interplanted among the animal habitats, spread across an area occupying more than 165,000 square metres.
The planting has matured to create a comfortable and interesting environment which enhances the interaction between visitors and animals.
The planting not only softens the landscape, but also enables visitors to be closer to the animals and have direct human contact rather than the traditional forms of wildlife park where the animals are at a distance behind physical barriers.
The park contains over 500 animals belonging to 50 different species (some of which are in grave danger of extinction), alongside giraffes, lions, hippopotamus, lemurs, brown bears, Iberian lynx, Oryx, Iberian wolves and a White African Rhinoceros.
Throughout the year, Terra Natura Murcia offers different educational talks during visits to their facilities: giraffes, brown bears and otters.
One of the most popular areas is the falconry zone, where the displays enable visitors to discover the beauty of a great variety of birds such as the majestic flight of the peregrine falcon, which reaches diving speeds of over 300 km an hour, the eagle owl, various types of hawk, the griffon vulture and the buzzard eagle. One of the main aims of the park is to encourage contact and engage in interaction between animals and humans, and the falconry is a popular means of achieving this goal.
Among the mammals are Iberian and European Lynx, Mouflon and Coatis.
Aqua Natura Water park
During the summer Terra Natura opens Aqua Natura, the only water park in the Region of Murcia.
This is a refreshing and enjoyable way to cool down in the heat of summer, with swimming pools for adults and children, slides and shoots, kamikazes, lazy river, entertainment and games for youngsters, all within just a short distance of the centre of the city of Murcia.
Opening hours 2024
Terra Natura Murcia is open every day of the year except 1st January and 25th December.
The wildlife park opens at 10.00 in the morning, and during the summer (June 23rd to September 8th) it opens at 11.00.
The water park opens from May 25th to September 8th, at 11.00
Closing times are as follows:
January 2nd – March 15th: 17.00, except weekends in February and March (18.00).
March 16th – May 24th: 18.00, except weekends in April and May (19.00).
May 25th – June 16th: 19.00.
June 17th – September 8th: 20.00.
NB: During the summer special nocturnal tours and meals are available. See what's on section for latest promotions.
September 9th – September 15th: 19.00.
September 16th – October 25th: 18.00, except weekends in September and October (19.00).
October 28th – December 31st: 17.00, except weekends in November (18.00).
Details of daily activities can be found here: extra activities and special offers are regularly updated on Murcia Today.
Click here for online bookings
How to get there
Terra Natura is located in the northern outskirts of the city of Murcia in Espinardo, accessed via the A-7 motorway.
Address: Calle Regidor Cayetano Gago, 30100, Espinardo, Murcia
From the A-7 Murcia to Alicante, exit 136, Universidad de Murcia
From the Autovia A-7 Alicante to Murcia, exit 762b, Murcia centro
By Bus
From central Murcia. Bus line number 31 leaves from Plaza Cruz Roja via Gran Via and passes by the park, from Monday to Saturday every half hour and on Sunday every hour.
Line 39A, leaves from the railway station from Monday to Friday every 15 minutes
Line 39C leaves from Infante Juan Manuel (Pio Baroja) from Monday to Friday every 30 minutes.
