Starting January 2025, the maximum unemployment benefit will rise to €1,306, driven by an increase in the Social Support Index (IAS), which will be adjusted to €522.50.
The combination of economic growth over the past two years (which concluded in the third quarter of this year) and the preliminary inflation rate for November, both reported by the National Statistics Institute (INE), will result in a €13.24 increase in the Social Support Index (IAS), bringing it to €522.50 in 2025.
This rise in the IAS will lead to increases in several social benefits, including unemployment benefits. The maximum amount will increase from €1,273 (equivalent to 2.5 IAS) to €1,306, while the minimum amount will align with the IAS, rising to €522.50.
However, the calculation of the minimum benefit differs for workers whose net reference salary is below the IAS, for those earning the national minimum wage, and for couples where both members are unemployed with dependents.
The IAS update, which also influences retirement adjustments, is based on an inflation rate of 2.10%. The formula mandates an additional increase of 0.5 percentage points when, as in the current case, economic growth falls between 2% and 3% over the last two years, resulting in a total growth of 2.6%.
Beyond unemployment benefits, the IAS serves as a benchmark for determining eligibility for family benefits, the maximum asset value for accessing Social Insertion Income (RSI), and study grants, among other social supports.
These figures are provisional and will be confirmed once the National Statistics Institute (INE) releases the finalized November inflation rate on December 11.
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