Alberto Núñez Feijóo, chairman of the Partido Popular, pledged on 15 October 2026 in Brussels to increase existing pensions “conforme al IPC”, that is, in line with the Consumer Price Index. At the same time, he did not rule out further reforms. He presented no specific proposals, deadlines or compensatory funding. Among those reporting the statement were EFE and Europa Press.
The Government of Pedro Sánchez rejected the pledge and accused the opposition of making promises without reliable calculations. Government sources said that current law already guaranteed annual adjustments and that the government would maintain them. The PP countered that it wanted to protect the purchasing power of today’s pensioners while also ensuring sustainability for younger people. The party’s economic policy spokesperson, Juan Bravo, affirmed, according to Europa Press, that “revaluation” in line with inflation was right in principle, but pointed to its dependence on economic conditions.
The background is a debate over the development of pensions in Spain that has been controversial for years. In 2021, annual adjustments in line with average inflation were enshrined in law. Further changes to the funding framework followed in 2023, including the intergenerational equity mechanism. Critics argue, however, that persistently high inflation could lead to a sharp rise in the burden of contributions and taxes. Supporters, by contrast, stress the need to safeguard pensioners’ real purchasing power.
Feijóo’s proposal is clearly intended to counter the accusation that the Partido Popular wants to weaken protection against losses in purchasing power. At the same time, the party leaves room for structural changes to the “Sistema público de pensiones”, for example through incentives to work longer, changes to the contribution assessment basis or supplementary provision. What can be achieved politically depends on majorities in Congress, the economic situation and European fiscal constraints.
Assessment: Feijóo’s statement is a political promise, not a legally binding measure. It builds on existing law without defining a new mechanism. It remains unclear whether adjustment “conforme al IPC” will continue unchanged or become part of a broader pension package. The only certainty is that any reform must balance protection against losses in purchasing power with the system’s long-term affordability—a tension that will continue to shape Spain’s social policy beyond the current issue.
Editor: Phillipe Schmidt-Araguin (Article created with AI assistance).