Towards a new Reform of the Gender Gap Supplement in Pensions: CJEU Judgment of 15 May 2025 and Spanish Supreme Court Judgment of 17 May 2025

Abstract

This paper analyzes the impact of the judgments of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) of 15 May 2025 (C-623/2023 and C-626/23) and the Spanish Supreme Court (STS) of 9 May 2025 (rec. 3821/2022) on the pension supplement according to art. 60 of the LGSS. On the one hand, the Spanish Supreme Court has validated the simultaneous receipt of two maternity supplements by both parents, based on a literal, historical, logical, teleological, systematic, and gender-based interpretation of said legal provision. On the other hand, the CJEU has declared the requirements for access to the gender gap supplement for men to be grounds for direct discrimination and contrary to European law, as they constitute a violation of Article 157 TFEU, Directive 79/7/EEC, and articles 20, 21, 23, and 34(1) of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. Firstly, this paper reviews the applicable regulatory framework; secondly, the scientific and related judicial doctrine; thirdly, the legal basis of both rulings; and finally, the conclusions reflect on each aspect. 

SUMMARY: 1. Introducción. 2. El marco normativo aplicable. 2.1. El primer complemento por maternidad. 2.2. El segundo complemento por brecha de género. 3. Los fundamentos de las sentencias. 3.1. La STJUE de 15 de mayo de 2025 (C-623/2023 y C-626/23) y la discriminación a varones en los requisitos de acceso al complemento por brecha de género. 3.2. La STS de 9 de mayo de 2025 (rec. 3364/2023) y la discriminación a varones en los requisitos de acceso al complemento por brecha de género. 4. Conclusiones. 5. Bibliografía