Protesters across Spain demand higher pensions for retirees

Thousands of elderly Spaniards have rallied in protests across the country to ask for an increase in public pension payouts for retirees.

Unions and retiree groups called for protests in over 100 cities and towns across Spain on Saturday to demand that pension payouts rise in line with inflation. Many pensioners complain that the government's 0.25-percent increase in 2017 is insufficient.

Experts have warned about the future of the pension system in an aging Spain, with fewer workers contributing to the national pension fund as the number of retirees rises.

The government says 139 billion euros, or 29 percent of total public spending, was paid last year in state pensions.

SS