Voluntary improvements to social security in Spain: Current legal standards and jurisprudence

This article presents a general overview of "voluntary improvements" as one form of voluntary social provision within the Spanish social security system. To this end, the article analyses different forms of voluntary improvements from both a legal and a jurisprudential perspective. Particular attention is given to problems that are a major source of conflict. In line with employment practice, voluntary improvements are articulated through collective bargaining. Although intended to encourage private initiative in matters of social provision, such improvements are nonetheless guided by the social security system, not least as a means to control both funding and procedure.