[Spain] Struggle for British expats claiming pensions from social security office

Expat pensioners in Spain are facing challenges in claiming their pensions through the social security office. The Olive Press spoke with one Brit in the midst of this struggle.

A British expat has reached out for help after waiting nearly six years to get his Spanish pension. The Marbella-based 70-year-old reportedly faces bankruptcy and potential homelessness in the new year if Spanish authorities fail to intervene.

Jerry Wayne (whose name has been changed for legal reasons) was turned down by Spain’s Social Security department despite paying taxes in Spain for 35 years.

Mr Wayne told The Olive Press that the situation was a ‘nightmare’. He said, “I have worked here for well over three decades and paid my taxes, I’ve done everything in line with the law yet here I am being forced to deal with this awful ongoing saga.

“I’ve only got enough money to see me through to February and I’ve already had to move to a much smaller flat in a cheaper area to save money.

“I really fear for the future.”

Mr Wayne is a former hotel and restaurant manager. He said, “I’ve probably paid over half a million euros to the state while working here and this is how they treat me.”

He originally moved from London to Marbella in 1986, as a hospitality consultant. In addition to working with the five-star Guadalpin hotel, he was a consultant at the leading La Sala group and ran his own restaurants.

“I have been involved in hotels, restaurants, golf clubs and generally the finer things of life that this wonderful country has to offer,” Mr Wayne said.

Problems arose when he approached his 65th birthday in 2017 and enlisted a gestor to help him apply for his pension.

Due to a technicality, leaving him allegedly owing a few thousand euros in unpaid autonomo (self-employed) payments, his claim was denied.

Despite a lawyer’s involvement and countless calls and meetings with civil servants, Mr Wayne is still no closer to solving the problem five years on.

“I’m desperate and really hope a campaigning paper like yours can somehow help to get what’s rightfully mine,” he told The Olive Press.

In reaching out to authorities the publication has reportedly found other expat pensioners in a similar position. It plans to launch a campaign in the new year.

The British consulate explained this week that expats struggling to claim their Spanish pension must ‘deal directly’ with the social security office. 

The organisation Brexats of Spain has reportedly pledged to help those needing further support.

Founder Anne Fernandez said, “It sounds like a horror story, we will put this out to our members to see if anyone else can help or has similar problems.”

Spain’s Ministry of Social Security did not respond to questions about the two pensioners who spoke with The Olive Press and referred them back to their respective social security offices. The publication has pledged to continue its probe for answers.

Source: The Olive Press

(Links via original reporting)

Expat pensioners in Spain are facing challenges in claiming their pensions through the social security office. The Olive Press spoke with one Brit in the midst of this struggle.

A British expat has reached out for help after waiting nearly six years to get his Spanish pension. The Marbella-based 70-year-old reportedly faces bankruptcy and potential homelessness in the new year if Spanish authorities fail to intervene.

Jerry Wayne (whose name has been changed for legal reasons) was turned down by Spain’s Social Security department despite paying taxes in Spain for 35 years.

Mr Wayne told The Olive Press that the situation was a ‘nightmare’. He said, “I have worked here for well over three decades and paid my taxes, I’ve done everything in line with the law yet here I am being forced to deal with this awful ongoing saga.

“I’ve only got enough money to see me through to February and I’ve already had to move to a much smaller flat in a cheaper area to save money.

“I really fear for the future.”

Mr Wayne is a former hotel and restaurant manager. He said, “I’ve probably paid over half a million euros to the state while working here and this is how they treat me.”

He originally moved from London to Marbella in 1986, as a hospitality consultant. In addition to working with the five-star Guadalpin hotel, he was a consultant at the leading La Sala group and ran his own restaurants.

“I have been involved in hotels, restaurants, golf clubs and generally the finer things of life that this wonderful country has to offer,” Mr Wayne said.

Problems arose when he approached his 65th birthday in 2017 and enlisted a gestor to help him apply for his pension.

Due to a technicality, leaving him allegedly owing a few thousand euros in unpaid autonomo (self-employed) payments, his claim was denied.

Despite a lawyer’s involvement and countless calls and meetings with civil servants, Mr Wayne is still no closer to solving the problem five years on.

“I’m desperate and really hope a campaigning paper like yours can somehow help to get what’s rightfully mine,” he told The Olive Press.

In reaching out to authorities the publication has reportedly found other expat pensioners in a similar position. It plans to launch a campaign in the new year.

The British consulate explained this week that expats struggling to claim their Spanish pension must ‘deal directly’ with the social security office. 

The organisation Brexats of Spain has reportedly pledged to help those needing further support.

Founder Anne Fernandez said, “It sounds like a horror story, we will put this out to our members to see if anyone else can help or has similar problems.”

Spain’s Ministry of Social Security did not respond to questions about the two pensioners who spoke with The Olive Press and referred them back to their respective social security offices. The publication has pledged to continue its probe for answers.

Source: The Olive Press

(Links via original reporting)