--- title: "New improvements in the protective action of Social Security and other social norms" lang: "en" type: "noticia" updated: "2026-10-22" url: "https://www.fraternidad.com/en/new-improvements-in-the-protective-action-of-social-security-and-other-social-norms" translations: es: "https://www.fraternidad.com/es-ES/noticias/nuevas-mejoras-de-la-accion-protectora-de-la-seguridad-social-y-de-otras-normas-sociales" ca: "https://www.fraternidad.com/ca-ES/noves-millores-de-l-accio-protectora-de-la-seguretat-social-i-altres-normes-socials" eu: "https://www.fraternidad.com/eu-ES/hobekuntza-berriak-gizarte-segurantzaren-babes-ekintzan-eta-bestelako-gizarte-arauetan" gl: "https://www.fraternidad.com/gl-ES/novas-melloras-na-accion-protectora-da-seguridade-social-e-outras-normas-sociais" en: "https://www.fraternidad.com/en/new-improvements-in-the-protective-action-of-social-security-and-other-social-norms" zh-hans: "https://www.fraternidad.com/cn/shehuibaozhangdengshehuiguifanbaozhangxingdongqudexinjinzhan" --- ![Royal Decree-Law 31/2026, of October 20, for the improvement of the protective action of Social Security and other social norms](/sites/default/files/styles/style_1920x400/public/node/noticia/field_image_main/banner-normativa-rd-l-312026-mejora-de-la-accion-protectora-de-la-seguridad-social-18252.webp?itok=lBnJhH7e) # New improvements in the protective action of Social Security and other social norms 22/10/2026 Regulations The purpose of Royal Decree-Law 31/2026, of October 20, is to incorporate a set of measures aimed at both improving protective action and improving the management of certain benefits. The aforementioned Royal Decree modifies the consolidated text of the General [Social Security](/en/social-security) Law, approved by Royal Legislative Decree 8/2015, of October 30, as well as other labor and [Social Security](/en/social-security) regulations. In matters of temporary disability (IT), measures are incorporated aimed at strengthening the protection provided by the [Social Security](/en/social-security) system. Regulates two new special cases of temporary disability: 1. Relating to the coded secondary menopausal disorder 2. Injuries resulting from gender violence And the general framework of special IT situations is reorganized. The reference parameter for determining the minimum amount of the extraordinary pensions caused by acts of terrorism, replacing triple the multiple-effect public income indicator with double the Minimum Interprofessional Wage (SMI). Regarding the Caring for minors with cancer or serious illness: Allows access to the benefit without requiring hospital admission when the medical treatment is of equal intensity; extends the age limit beyond 26 years for deceased persons with a disability equal to or greater than 65% or degree III dependency; and authorizes simultaneous or alternative enjoyment between parents. With this same purpose, the consolidated text of the Workers' Statute Law is modified, approved by Royal Legislative Decree 2/2015, of October 23, which regulates the reduction of working hours for this reason. Regarding the requirements for access to the widow's pension for common-law couples The obligation to register in the public registry or formal deed is eliminated when there are common children, requiring only 2 years of stable coexistence. Seeking to expand the economic protection of minors and vulnerable people, the law increases orphan's pensions caused after the death of the deceased due to violence against women, in a situation comparable to absolute orphanhood, guaranteeing a minimum monthly amount equivalent to double SMI monthly in force at any time. A new sixty-fourth additional provision is introduced to introduce the assimilation of Social Security benefits to professional contingencies in catastrophic situations, by virtue of which regulations with the force of law may be approved by virtue of which benefits such as temporary disability, permanent disability or death and survival can be agreed upon, assimilated to professional contingency, thus improving their coverage. In order to improve the protection of minors in the event of non-compliance with judicially recognized maintenance obligations, improvements are introduced in the legal regime of the Food Payment Guarantee Fund. The maximum amount of the advance is raised to 300 euros monthly and links the income threshold to the [SMI](/en/smi). Finally, the reform modifies Law 29/2011, of September 22, of Comprehensive Recognition and Protection of Victims of Terrorism, aimed at victims of terrorism who have not been compensated as civil liability for the terrorism crimes suffered, either because that crime was not the subject of a final criminal sentence or because said sentence has not established compensation for such concept. It regulates complementary aid or increased compensation after 5 years of the crime without a final sentence establishing civil liability, equating its amounts to those of article 20 of Law 29/2011. Entry into force: 1\. This Royal Decree-Law will come into force on the same day of its publication in the "Official State Gazette." 2\. Without prejudice to the provisions of the previous section, the modifications indicated will produce the following effects: * The modifications introduced in article 61.2 of the consolidated text of the General [Social Security](/en/social-security) Law and in article 27.2 of the consolidated text of the State Passive Classes Law will take effect on the first day of the month following that of publication. * The modifications introduced in articles 144.4, 169.1.a), 171, 172 and 173.1 of the consolidated text of the General [Social Security](/en/social-security) Law and in article 23.2 of Law 47/2015, of October 21, as well as the fourth, fifth and sixth articles, will take effect on the first day of the second month following that of publication. * The modifications introduced in articles 190, 191 and 192 of the consolidated text of the General [Social Security](/en/social-security) Law, as well as in article 37.6 of the consolidated text of the Workers' Statute Law, will take effect on October 23, 2026. * The modification of article 309 of the consolidated text of the General [Social Security](/en/social-security) Law will take effect as of January 1, 2027.