Spanish social security
Spain offers an extensive social security system, more than 90% of the population.
The system provides benefits for health care (sickness and maternity), injuries at work, redundancy, retirement, disability and death.
Social benefits in Spain are rather one of the highest in the European Union, there are contributions. The total contribution for each employee in good standing are usually nearly 30% of gross wages, about 25% of thempaid by the employer. With the exception of sickness benefits, social security benefits are not taxed.
Two thirds of social security spending is on cash benefits such as pensions (old age, disabled, orphans and widows), illness, and housing assistance, through the Instituto Nacional de Seguridad Social (INSS) is distributed.
The Instituto Nacional de Empleo (INEM) distributes unemployment benefits.
Less than a third of revenue spent on health care, managed byregional health and social services, which are the responsibility of the Instituto de Servicios Sociales y Migraciones (IMSERSO).
Spain has a separate system for civil servants and military orders, and special agricultural workers, self-employed, domestic workers and other groups.
The Spanish social security system has been under severe financial difficulties. An aging population and rising unemployment have contributed to an enormous increaseSpending on health, pensions and unemployment benefits, although there have been cuts in public spending in recent years. Most experts agree that if the current level of benefits (especially pensions) and untenable payments are reduced if the system can not be driven to bankruptcy.
