Almost four out of every 10 old-age pensioners (36.9%) receive a pension amount below the established minimum amount, according to data included in the Social Security Account Report for 2022, which has now been released. 

"In the five-year period under analysis, around 37.1% of old-age pensioners received a pension amount below the minimum (36.9% in 2022), with a reduction of 0.6% between 2018 and 2022", can be read in the document.

In relation to disability and survivor's pensions, more than half receive social supplements, with the relative weight remaining stable between 2018 and 2022 (57.6%) for disability, but increasing by 1.5% for survivor's pensions in the period (51.7% in 2022).

The Social Security data also reveal "an increase in the number of supplements in relation to the total number of pensioners, reflecting the fact that there are more pensioners with a pension amount below the established minimum, and therefore entitled to receive a social supplement".

Moreover, the same document recalls that "social supplements are awarded to pensioners of the general scheme whose pension amount is below the minimum amounts defined by law".

What is the minimum pension amount? 

The minimum pension amount in the general scheme, it should be recalled, was 278.05 euros in 2022, as shown by the data in the table below: 

Evolution of minimum pensions - 2018/2022© Reproduction of the Social Security report

"The update of pensions and supplements in 2022 followed the rules established in Law No. 53-B/2006, of 29 December, in its current wording, resulting in a 1.0% increase in pensions up to 2 IAS, 0.49% in those with a value between 2 and 6 times the IAS, while those with an amount greater than 6 times the IAS are updated by 0.24% (Ordinance No. 301/2021, of 2021). The IAS amount was updated to 443.20 euros", it can also be read. 

Read also: After all, who is entitled to the Solidarity Supplement for the Elderly? (Portuguese version)