The latest report by the CFP highlights that changes to eligibility conditions and associated benefits in 2024 have had a significant budgetary impact, particularly by causing a “sharp increase in the number of beneficiaries and associated expenditure.”
Changes include the exclusion of children’s income as a criterion and exclusion factor, as well as increasing its reference value and expanding complementary benefits.
“In 2025, expenditure on the supplement will exceed the budgeted figure,” the CFP notes, indicating that “by July, Social Security expenditure on the CSI totaled 302.3 million euros, compared to the Social Security Budget forecast of 406.8 million euros.”
Based on the average amount processed per beneficiary to date and the increase in the number of beneficiaries, the CFP projects total expenditure to reach 577 million euros in 2025, which “would result in a deviation of around 42% compared to the budget and an increase of 178 million euros compared to 2024.”
Assuming the Government’s “commitment to converge the CSI to 870 euros by the end of the legislature” and “assuming that the coverage rate of the supplement remains at the level estimated for December 2025, the commitments made in the Government Program and an update of pensions compatible with the CFP’s macroeconomic scenario, expenditure on CSI is projected to reach 1,093 million euros in 2029,” the body concludes.
This figure represents a 90% increase compared to the projected expenditure for 2025 (at current prices, more than quadrupling compared to 2023).
The CFP also warns that there is a risk of higher expenditure, considering the rate of increase in the number of beneficiaries and spending on additional health benefits (BAS), particularly with free medication.
The CSI is a monthly cash allowance for elderly people in poverty.
