Heterogeneity in the Age Gap of Spanish Couples and its Impact in the Spain’s Pension System Equity

Abstract

In recent decades, Spanish society has experienced major transformations in the way couples formalize their marriage ties and in the number of years they actually cohabit. This thesis examines the impact of joint life expectancy on Spain’s pension system, considering demographic changes and increasing longevity. We analyze age differences in heterosexual marriages from 1976 to 2021 and estimate joint life expectancy using the Coherent Functional Demographic Model (CFDM). Our findings highlight the importance of the age gap between spouses on household pension wealth, influencing retirement and widowhood pensions. We propose policies to reduce inequalities in the Spanish pension system, emphasizing gender and family structure considerations. The study underscores the need for reforms to ensure equity and sustainability in the context of ageing populations