Social Security Benefits: Maternity, Retirement, and Survivor Support

Maternity Benefits and Leave

Maternity leave is a condition where an individual does not go to work, enjoying legally established breaks for maternity and similar cases (such as adoption or foster care). To qualify for maternity benefit, one must meet three requirements:

• 1. Registration Status

  To be registered in an open or similar service.

• 2. Grace Period

  Accumulate a grace period of 180 days within the last five years.

• 3. Maternity Leave Status

  Be currently on maternity leave.

The provision of these benefits carries significant economic implications. The duration of the benefit is the same as that during the period of contract suspension.

Retirement Benefits

Retirement is a situation where an employee voluntarily ceases work, typically due to age. The regulations require two requirements to be eligible for a financial benefit:

• 1. Age Requirement

  It is necessary to have reached 65 years of age. However, early retirement may sometimes be permitted.

• 2. Vesting Period

  A minimum of 15 years of contributions is required, two of which must be included within the 15 years prior to the retirement date.

Death and Survivor Benefits

This benefit applies to individuals who were economically dependent on a deceased worker or pensioner. In this case, the requirements are as follows:

• 1. Requirements for the Deceased

  • To be in active or similar service, except in the case of a pensioner.
  • A grace period of 500 days within the five years preceding the death is required, except for a pensioner.

• 2. Requirements for Beneficiaries

  • a) Widow/Widower

    The widow/widower is entitled to a pension until remarriage.

  • b) Orphan

    If the beneficiary is an orphan, they will be entitled to an orphan's benefit if they are under 18 years of age, or incapacitated due to permanent or severe disability. This benefit may extend to those under 21 years of age if no parent survives and their income is below 75% of the Minimum Interprofessional Wage (SMI).

  • c) Other Family Members

    Social Security (SS) also recognizes a benefit for other family members, who are entitled to the same only if they are within the second degree of kinship and can prove their economic dependence on the deceased.

Types of Death and Survivor Benefits

• A one-time death benefit, amounting to €30.
• A survivor's annuity, an orphan's pension, and a temporary annuity for other family members.