Social Security Revisions in Spain

ences in benefit amount reflect the lower earnings of the Spanish-surnamed and the differences in size of family (as well as the application of the maximum limit on family benefits). The effect, of limited earnings is modified somewhat, however, by the fact, that the formula for determining the worker’s primary insurance amount (on which the worker’s benefits and those of his dependents are based) is weighted in favor of those with low wages. The difference between the averages might be even greater if it were not for the relatively low proportion of women-whose benefits tend to be smaller than those of men-among the Spanish-surnamed retired-worker and disabledworker beneficiaries. In July 19’71, the average monthly benefit currently payable to Spanish-surnamed retiredworker beneficiaries in the five States was $11790 percent of the average payable to all retired workers in those States (table 5). The average ($136) going to disabled-worker beneficiaries with Spanish surnames was also nine-tenths of the average amount for all disabled-worker beneficiaries in these States. Data on benefit amounts by sex are not available for the five States. It is estimated, however, that the amounts being received by Spanishsurnamed men with retired-worker benefits are 85 percent of those received by all men retired workers and that those with disabled-worker benefits get, about 90 percent of the amount payable to the total group. Child beneficiaries with Spanish surnames were receiving, on the average, only 73 percent of the average benefit for .a11 entitled children in the Southwest-$55 compared with $75. The differences in average benefits were similar but less pronounced for the spouses of retired and disabled workers and for widowed mothers.