Madrid's bustling plazas filled with silver-haired crowds Friday as the first Christmas pension bonuses—up 3.5% to an average €1,200—landed in bank apps, a €15 billion government lifeline amid soaring bills. At CaixaBank's Gran Vía branch, retiree Carmen Ruiz, 72, checked her phone with trembling hands: "It's a godsend—groceries up 20%, this covers the gap." The Seguridad Social rollout, flagged by Minister José Luis Escrivá at noon, targets 9 million recipients, with direct deposits starting 8 AM.
Lines snaked around BBVA ATMs in Salamanca, where 500 seniors waited for cash-outs, sharing stories of pinched budgets. "Last year bought gifts; this year, just heat," sighed Pedro López, 68, pocketing €1,100. Escrivá's presser touted "solidarity injection," tying hikes to IPC index, but critics like PP's Alberto Núñez Feijóo blasted: "Patchwork—real reform needed." Social feeds exploded—#PagaExtraNavidad trended with 200,000 posts, memes of "Santa Seguridad Social."
In Barcelona's Eixample, where 15% seniors live solo, Caixa outlets extended hours, processing 10,000 claims. Ruiz: "Grandkids get toys—me, peace." Economic watchdogs forecast 0.2% GDP nudge from spends on food and pharma. As queues thinned by 3 PM, López planned: "A family paella—finally." Boost breaks breadlines, but winter woes whisper on.
