Apply for contributory retirement (pensión del INSS)

What you need to have ready

1. Cl@ve, certificado digital o DNIe to access Tu Seguridad Social.
2. DNI/NIE scanned or a clear photo.
3. IBAN of your account (you as the holder).
4. Details of your vida laboral to review (Import@ss).
5. Extra papers if applicable: children (gender-gap supplement), cotizaciones en el extranjero (E‑205), disability, empadronamiento/rentas for minimum-complements.

Documentation

1. DNI/NIE or passport.
2. IBAN of the account.
3. Certificado de empresa de cese if you’ve just left a job and the company didn’t upload it.
4. Libro de familia/certificados de nacimiento if you’ll ask for the gender-gap complement.
5. E‑205 or period certificate if you worked abroad.
6. Disability resolution if you’re taking early retirement for disability.
7. Empadronamiento and income declaration if you request minimum-complements.
8. Vida laboral and informe de bases to cross-check (not mandatory, but avoids surprises).

Step by step

1. Check your vida laboral in Import@ss: https://importass.seg-social.es/ (verify entries and contribution bases). If you spot gaps, request corrections before you apply.
2. Run a simulation in Tu Seguridad Social if available (it gives an estimate of amount and dates): https://sede.seg-social.gob.es/wps/portal/sede/tuss
3. File the application online in Tu Seguridad Social: log in with Cl@ve/certificate, go to Pensiones > Solicitar jubilación, pick the effective date, indicate foreign contributions and upload documents.
4. Sign and download the receipt for the registration. That PDF is your lifeline if there are delays.
5. Prefer in person? Book a cita previa at INSS here: https://sede.seg-social.gob.es/wps/portal/sede/cita-previa and bring originals.
6. If you’re self-employed and stop, process the baja en RETA in Import@ss with the correct date: https://importass.seg-social.es/ (avoid overpaying or being left uncovered).
7. Wait for the resolution. They will notify you via Carpeta Ciudadana and/or post. When it arrives, check the amount and effective date; if something’s wrong, appeal.

Tips that save you time

1. Apply with margin (up to 3 months before). This avoids losing months if issues pop up.
2. Upload clear documents and in PDF. If they’re unreadable they’ll request them and things take longer.
3. Note your expediente number from the receipt to track the status.
4. If you worked abroad, attach the E‑205 straight away and specify the country. Saves months of back-and-forth between agencies.
5. Self-employed: plan the baja en RETA to match the retirement date. One wrong day = extra contributions or no coverage.

Common mistakes that can derail the application

1. Applying outside the window and expecting full back pay: retroactivity is limited to 3 months.
2. Early retirement without running the numbers: reduction coefficients cut your pension permanently.
3. Not checking your vida laboral: a gap or a wrong contribution base lowers your regulatory base.
4. Failing to declare foreign contributions: you’ll have to fight later and it delays everything.
5. Self-employed who don’t deregister on time: you keep paying or end up in limbo.
6. Uploading blurry photos of DNI/IBAN: you’ll get a request and lose weeks.