CTAC-Autònoms and UPTA Spain request that the regulation of the bridge to RETA recognises all contributions and rights of mutualists, especially Catalan lawyers.
The self-employed organisation CTAC-Autònoms, in collaboration with UPTA Spain, has demanded that the future bridge to integrate alternative mutualists into the Special Regime for Self-Employed Workers (RETA) guarantees the full recognition of contributions and economic rights generated throughout their professional lives.
This measure particularly affects lawyers who have contributed for years through professional mutualities as an alternative to RETA. CTAC argues that the regulation must respect the objective of the reform: to allow these professionals to voluntarily join the public regime with legal certainty, transparency, and without losing their consolidated rights.
“The rights of an entire professional lifetime cannot be trapped in a mutuality,” asserts the organisation, which believes that the regulation should prioritise the interests of mutualists rather than those of the managing entities.
Particular impact on Catalan law
CTAC-Autònoms points out that the future bridge has a particular impact in Catalonia due to the number of affected legal professionals. In recent months, both the Illustrious College of Lawyers of Barcelona and the Council of Catalan Law have called for a system that allows incorporation into RETA without excluding any mutualist and respecting accumulated economic rights.
The organisation warns that thousands of professionals have made contributions for decades under a model that, in many cases, does not guarantee them social protection or a pension comparable to that of the public system.
Key proposals: voluntariness and recognition of contributions
Among the main proposals presented by CTAC-Autònoms is that integration into RETA should be completely voluntary and depend on the individual decision of each professional. The entity demands that both the amounts contributed to the mutuality and the earnings generated during the years of contribution be recognised.
It also requests that any economic surplus resulting from the operation be entirely allocated to improving the future retirement pension of the mutualist, preventing those resources from remaining with the managing entities.
CTAC proposes that each affected individual receives a personalised report detailing how their contributions will be transferred and what specific rights will be generated within the public Social Security system. The organisation considers it necessary for the procedure to be simple, transparent, and have clearly defined timelines, so that mutualists can assess the economic and labour consequences before making a decision.
Additionally, it calls for the creation of a technical monitoring committee involving representative organisations of self-employment. This body should oversee the development of the bridge and resolve any issues that may arise during its implementation.
A “historic opportunity” for social protection
CTAC-Autònoms believes that the reform represents a historic opportunity to provide a fair solution for lawyers and other professionals who have conducted their activities through alternative mutualities. The organisation will continue to work alongside UPTA Spain to ensure that the future regulation preserves consolidated economic rights, guarantees a safe transition, and strengthens the social protection of those who decide to join RETA.
The entity insists that the final regulation must be built with the individuals who made the contributions in mind and avoid allowing the interests of mutualities to condition professionals' access to the public system. Interested mutualists should stay alert for the publication of the regulation to assess their situation and decide whether to take advantage of the bridge.
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