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Note 25

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2024

Post Employment And Other Employee Benefit Commitments [Abstract]

Disclosure of Post Employment And Other Employee Benefit Commitments [Text Block]

Post-employment and other employee benefit commitments

As stated in Note 2.2.13, the Group has assumed commitments with employees including short-term employee benefits (see Note 44.1), defined contribution and defined benefit plans (see Glossary), healthcare and other long-term employee benefits.

The Group sponsors defined-contribution plans for the majority of its active employees, with the plans in Spain and Mexico being the most significant. Most defined benefit plans are closed to new employees, with liabilities relating largely to retired employees, the most significant being those in Spain, Mexico and Turkey. In Mexico, the Group provides medical benefits to a closed group of employees and their family members, both in active service and retirement.

The breakdown of the net defined benefit liability recorded on the balance sheet as of December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022 is provided below:


Net defined benefit liability (asset) on the consolidated balance sheet (Millions of Euros)
	Notes	2024	2023	2022
Pension commitments		3,759	3,849	3,661
Early retirement commitments		271	412	606
Medical benefits commitments		1,269	1,728	1,448
Other long term employee benefits		384	435	466
Total commitments		5,683	6,424	6,181
Pension plan assets		1,584	1,675	1,608
Medical benefit plan assets		1,367	1,744	1,476
Total plan assets (1)		2,951	3,419	3,084

Total net liability / asset		2,732	3,006	3,097
Of which: Net asset on the consolidated balance sheet (2)		—	—	(1)
Of which: Net liability on the consolidated balance sheet for provisions for pensions and similar obligations (3)	24	2,348	2,571	2,632
Of which: Net liability on the consolidated balance sheet for other long term employee benefits	24	384	435	466

(1) In Turkey, the foundation responsible for managing the benefit commitments holds an additional asset of €123 million as of December 31, 2024 which, in accordance with IFRS regarding the asset ceiling, has not been recognized in the Consolidated Financial Statements, because although it could be used to reduce future pension contributions it could not be immediately refunded to the employer. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, this amount amounted to €153 and €188 million respectively.

(2) Recorded under the heading “Other Assets - Other” of the consolidated balance sheet (see Note 20).

(3) Recorded under the heading “Provisions - Provisions for pensions and similar obligations” of the consolidated balance sheet.

The impact relating to benefit commitments on the consolidated income statement for the years 2024, 2023 and 2022 is as follows:


Consolidated income statement impact (Millions of Euros)
	Notes	2024	2023	2022 ⁽¹⁾
Interest and other expense		138	133	75
Interest expense		494	444	342
Interest income		(356)	(311)	(267)
Personnel expense		215	188	130
Defined contribution plan expense	44.1	158	139	87
Defined benefit plan expense	44.1	51	49	42
Other expense		6	—	—
Provisions or (reversal) of provisions	46	3	31	(89)
Early retirement expense		—	—	—
Past service cost expense		7	36	34
Remeasurements ⁽²⁾		(5)	(7)	(126)
Other provision expense		1	2	3
Total impact on consolidated income statement: expense (income)		355	352	116

(1) Balances corresponding to 2022 have been restated according to IFRS 17 (see Note 1.3).

(2) Actuarial losses (gains) on remeasurement of the net defined benefit liability relating to early retirements in Spain and other long-term employee benefits that are charged to the income statements (see Note 2.2.13).

The amounts relating to post-employment benefits charged to the consolidated balance sheet correspond to the actuarial gains (losses) on remeasurement of the net defined benefit liability relating to pension and medical commitments before income taxes as of December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022 are as follows:


Equity impact (Millions of Euros)
	2024	2023	2022
Defined benefit plans	218	302	(363)
Post-employment medical benefits	(86)	12	(71)
Total impact on equity: debit (credit)	132	314	(433)

In 2024, the aggregate impact of this heading amounted to a debit of €132 million driven by the variation in the main long-term remuneration commitments in Mexico (debit of €55 million, mainly due to the variation of financial assumptions and expected profitability of plan assets), Turkey (debit of €32 million euros due to the variation of financial assumptions, expected profitability of plan assets and experience), Spain (debit of €28 million, essentially due to the variation in financial assumptions) and Portugal (debit of €16 million due to the expected profitability of the plan assets and experience).

In 2023, the aggregate impact of this heading amounted to a debit of €314 million driven by the variation in financial assumptions, losses of €71 million from commitments in Spain, and losses of €170 million for commitments in Mexico. These amounts are offset by other minor effects of actuarial experience in these geographical areas and financial, demographic and experience effects in other geographical areas.

In 2022, the aggregate impact of this heading amounted to a credit of €433 million driven by the variation in financial assumptions, gains of €558 million from commitments in Spain, and losses of €72 million for commitments in Mexico. These amounts are offset by other minor effects of actuarial experience in these geographical areas and financial, demographic and experience effects in other geographical areas.

Defined benefit plans

Defined benefit commitments relate mainly to employees who have already retired or taken early retirement, certain closed groups of active employees still accruing defined benefit pensions, and in-service death and disability benefits provided to most active employees. For the latter, the Group pays the required premiums to fully insure the related liability. The change in these pension commitments during the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022 is presented below:


Defined benefits (Millions of Euros)
	2024			2023			2022
	Defined benefit obligation	Plan assets	Net liability (asset)	Defined benefit obligation	Plan assets	Net liability (asset)	Defined benefit obligation	Plan assets	Net liability (asset)
Balance at the beginning	5,989	3,419	2,571	5,715	3,084	2,632	6,547	2,988	3,560
Current service cost	51	—	51	52	—	52	45	—	45
Interest income/expense	472	356	115	425	311	114	333	267	65
Contributions by plan participants	16	16	—	10	10	—	10	10	—
Employer contributions	—	143	(143)	—	106	(106)	—	67	(67)
Past service costs (1)	7	—	7	36	—	36	34	—	34
Remeasurements:	(202)	(330)	128	375	68	307	(741)	(240)	(501)
Return on plan assets (2)	—	(330)	330	—	68	(68)	—	(240)	240
From changes in demographic assumptions	2	—	2	(86)	—	(86)	(29)	—	(29)
From changes in financial assumptions	(362)	—	(362)	248	—	248	(812)	—	(812)
Other actuarial gains and losses	158	—	158	212	—	212	100	—	100
Benefit payments	(564)	(230)	(334)	(655)	(232)	(424)	(676)	(184)	(492)
Settlement payments	(1)	(1)	—	(76)	(75)	(1)	(4)	(4)	—
Business combinations and disposals	—	—	—	(1)	—	(1)	—	—	—
Effect on changes in foreign exchange rates	(467)	(416)	(51)	124	153	(29)	161	180	(20)
Conversions to defined contributions	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Other effects	(3)	(7)	4	(15)	(7)	(8)	7	—	7
Balance at the end	5,299	2,951	2,348	5,989	3,419	2,571	5,715	3,084	2,632
Of which: Spain	2,078	114	1,964	2,310	129	2,181	2,546	147	2,399
Of which: Mexico	2,385	2,114	271	2,988	2,702	286	2,426	2,329	97
Of which: Turkey	567	488	80	435	363	72	418	315	103

(1) Including gains and losses arising from settlements.

The balance under the heading “Provisions - Pensions and other post-employment defined benefit obligations” of the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2024 includes €200 million relating to post-employment benefit commitments to former members of the Board of Directors and the Bank’s Management (see Note 54).

The most significant commitments are those in Spain and Mexico and, to a lesser extent, in Turkey. The remaining commitments are located mostly in Portugal and South America. Unless otherwise required by local regulation, all defined benefit plans have been closed to new entrants, who instead are able to participate in the Group´s defined contribution plans.

Both the costs and the present value of the commitments are determined by independent qualified actuaries using the “projected unit credit” method. In order to achieve the good governance of these plans, the Group has established specific benefits committees. These benefit committees include members from the different areas of the business to ensure that all decisions are made taking into consideration all of the associated impacts.

The following table sets out the key actuarial assumptions used in the valuation of these commitments as of December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022:


Actuarial assumptions (%)
	2024						2023						2022
	Spain		Mexico		Turkey		Spain		Mexico		Turkey		Spain		Mexico		Turkey
Discount rate	3.25	%	12.11	%	31.02	%	3.43	%	10.44	%	25.60	%	3.91	%	10.68	%	17.79	%
Rate of salary increase	—		4.50	%	27.80	%	—		4.50	%	23.44	%	—		4.50	%	15.86	%
Rate of pension increase	—		3.92	%	26.30	%	—		4.14	%	21.94	%	—		4.41	%	14.36	%
Medical cost trend rate	—		8.00	%	30.50	%	—		8.04	%	26.14	%	—		8.04	%	18.56	%
Mortality tables	PER 2020		EMSSA09		TUIK 2022		PER 2020		EMSSA09		TUIK 2019		PER 2020		EMSSA09		TUIK 2019

In Spain, the discount rate shown as of December 31, 2024, corresponds to the discount rate for long-term commitments, with the discount rate used for short-term commitments being 2.75%.

Discount rates used to value future benefit cash flows have been determined by reference to high quality corporate bonds (see Note 2.2.13) denominated in Euro in the case of Spain and Mexican peso for Mexico, and government bonds denominated in Turkish Lira for Turkey.

The expected return on plan assets has been set in line with the adopted discount rate.

Assumed retirement ages have been set by reference to the earliest age at which employees are entitled to retire, the contractually agreed age in the case of early retirements in Spain or by using retirement rates.

Changes in the main actuarial assumptions may affect the valuation of the commitments. The table below shows the sensitivity of the benefit obligations to changes in the key assumptions:


Sensitivity analysis (Millions of Euros)
	Basis points change	2024		2023		2022
		Increase	Decrease	Increase	Decrease	Increase	Decrease
Discount rate	50	(213)	232	(265)	291	(321)	350
Rate of salary increase	50	4	(4)	4	(4)	1	(1)
Rate of pension increase	50	27	(26)	34	(32)	32	(39)
Medical cost trend rate	50	102	(93)	141	(126)	119	(106)
Change in obligation from each additional year of longevity		120	—	134	—	113	—

The sensitivities provided above have been determined at the date of these consolidated financial statements, and reflect solely the impact of changing one individual assumption at a time, keeping the rest of the assumptions unchanged, thereby excluding the effects which may result from combined assumption changes.

In addition to the commitments to employees shown above, the Group has other less material long-term employee benefits. These include leaves and long-service awards, which consist of either an established monetary award or some vacation days granted to certain groups of employees when they complete a given number of years of service. Additionally, a fund related to the collective layoff procedure that was carried out in Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.A. was created in 2021. As of December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, the actuarial liabilities for the outstanding awards amounted to €384 million, €435 million and €466 million, respectively. These commitments are recorded under the heading "Provisions - Other long-term employee benefits" of the consolidated balance sheet (see Note 24).

Post-employment commitments and similar obligations

These commitments relate mostly to pension payments, and which have been determined based on salary and years of service. For most plans, pension payments are due on retirement, death and long term disability.

Additionally, there are commitments with early retired personnel from Spanish companies of the Group. These commitments include the compensation and indemnities due as well as the contributions payable to external pension funds during the early retirement period. As of December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, the value of these commitments amounted to €271 million, €412 million and €606 million, respectively.

The change in the benefit plan obligations and plan assets during the year ended December 31, 2024 was as follows:


Post-employment commitments 2024 (Millions of Euros)
	Spain	Mexico	Turkey	Rest of the world
Defined benefit obligation
Balance at the beginning	2,310	1,269	435	247
Current service cost	4	10	18	3
Interest income or expense	73	118	105	9
Contributions by plan participants	—	—	14	2
Employer contributions	—	—	—	—
Past service costs (1)	—	—	3	4
Remeasurements:	24	14	83	9
Return on plan assets (2)	—	—	—	—
From changes in demographic assumptions	—	2	(15)	—
From changes in financial assumptions	34	(10)	(97)	3
Other actuarial gains and losses	(10)	22	195	6
Benefit payments	(341)	(109)	(32)	(12)
Settlement payments	—	(1)	—	—
Business combinations and disposals	—	—	—	—
Effect on changes in foreign exchange rates	—	(177)	(48)	(2)
Conversions to defined contributions	—	—	—	—
Other effects	8	—	(11)	—
Balance at the end	2,078	1,124	567	260
Of which: Vested benefit obligation relating to current employees	72
Of which: Vested benefit obligation relating to retired employees	2,006

Plan Assets
Balance at the beginning	129	958	363	224
Current service cost	—	—	—	—
Interest income or expense	4	87	89	7
Contributions by plan participants	—	—	14	2
Employer contributions	—	68	39	22
Past service costs (1)	—	—	—	—
Remeasurements:	1	(125)	50	(10)
Return on plan assets (2)	1	(125)	50	(10)
From changes in demographic assumptions	—	—	—	—
From changes in financial assumptions	—	—	—	—
Other actuarial gains and losses	—	—	—	—
Benefit payments	(20)	(108)	(20)	(11)
Settlement payments	—	(1)	—	—
Business combinations and disposals	—	—	—	—
Effect on changes in foreign exchange rates	—	(132)	(40)	—
Conversions to defined contributions	—	—	—	—
Other effects	—	—	(7)	—
Balance at the end	114	748	488	234

Net liability (asset)
Balance at the beginning	2,181	311	72	23
Current service cost	4	10	18	3
Interest income or expense	69	30	16	2
Contributions by plan participants	—	—	—	—
Employer contributions	—	(68)	(39)	(22)
Past service costs (1)	—	—	3	4
Remeasurements:	23	139	32	19
Return on plan assets (2)	(1)	125	(50)	10
From changes in demographic assumptions	—	2	(15)	—
From changes in financial assumptions	34	(10)	(97)	3
Other actuarial gains and losses	(10)	22	195	6
Benefit payments	(321)	—	(11)	(1)
Settlement payments	—	—	—	—
Business combinations and disposals	—	—	—	—
Effect on changes in foreign exchange rates	—	(45)	(8)	(2)
Conversions to defined contributions	—	—	—	—
Other effects	8	—	(4)	—
Balance at the end	1,964	377	80	26

(1) Including gains and losses arising from settlements.

(2) Excluding interest, which is recorded under "Interest income or expense".

The change in net liabilities (assets) during the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 was as follows:


Post-employment commitments (Millions of Euros)
	2023: Net liability (assets)				2022: Net liability (assets)
	Spain	Mexico	Turkey	Rest of the world	Spain	Mexico	Turkey	Rest of the world
Balance at the beginning	2,399	132	103	25	3,464	124	63	24
Current service cost	3	9	17	3	4	7	13	3
Interest income or expense	85	17	8	2	51	14	10	4
Contributions by plan participants	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Employer contributions	—	(37)	(23)	(29)	—	(41)	(22)	(3)
Past service costs (1)	—	—	33	3	—	1	2	3
Remeasurements:	67	175	32	21	(643)	152	62	(1)
Return on plan assets (2)	—	19	(129)	25	34	45	(104)	121
From changes in demographic assumptions	—	—	(14)	(2)	—	—	(37)	8
From changes in financial assumptions	78	114	10	(10)	(643)	73	82	(132)
Other actuarial gains and losses	(11)	42	165	8	(34)	34	122	2
Benefit payments	(379)	—	(43)	(1)	(484)	—	(6)	(1)
Settlement payments	—	—	—	(1)	—	—	—	—
Business combinations and disposals	—	—	—	(1)	—	(139)	—	—
Effect on changes in foreign exchange rates	—	15	(40)	1	—	13	(18)	(3)
Conversions to defined contributions	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Other effects	6	—	(14)	—	7	—	—	—
Balance at the end	2,181	311	72	23	2,399	132	103	25

(1) Includes gains and losses from settlements.

In Spain, local regulation requires that pension and death benefit commitments must be funded, either through a qualified pension plan or an insurance contract.

In the Spanish entities these commitments are covered by insurance contracts which meet the requirements of the accounting standard regarding the non-recoverability of contributions. However, a significant number of the insurance contracts are with BBVA Seguros, S.A. (a consolidated subsidiary and related party) and consequently these policies cannot be considered plan assets under IAS 19. For this reason, the liabilities insured under these policies are fully recognized under the heading "Provisions – Pensions and other post-employment defined benefit obligations" of the consolidated balance sheet (see Note 24), while the related assets held by the insurance company are included within the Group´s consolidated assets (recorded according to the classification of the corresponding financial instruments). As of December 31, 2024 the value of these separate assets was €1,553 million, (€1,631 million and €1,656 million as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively) representing direct rights of the insured employees held in the consolidated balance sheet, hence these benefits are effectively fully funded.

On the other hand, some pension commitments have been funded through insurance contracts with insurance companies not related to the Group. In this case the consolidated balance sheet reflects the value of the obligations net of the fair value of the qualifying insurance policies. As of December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, the value of the aforementioned insurance policies (€114, €130 and €147 million, respectively) exactly match the value of the corresponding obligations and therefore no amount for this item has been recorded in the consolidated balance sheet.

Pension benefits are paid by the insurance companies with whom BBVA has insurance contracts and to whom all insurance premiums have been paid. The premiums are determined by the insurance companies using cash flow matching techniques to ensure that benefits can be met when due, guaranteeing both the actuarial and interest rate risk.

In Mexico, there is a defined benefit plan for employees hired prior to 2001. Other employees participate in a defined contribution plan. External funds/trusts have been constituted locally to meet benefit payments as required by local regulation.

In 2008, the Turkish government passed a law to unify the different existing pension systems under a single umbrella Social Security system. Such system provides for the transfer of the various previously established funds. The financial sector is in this stage at present, maintaining these pension commitments managed by external pension funds (foundations) established for that purpose.

The foundation that maintains the assets and liabilities relating to employees of Garanti BBVA in Turkey, as per the local regulatory requirements, has recognized an obligation amounting to €382 million as of December 31, 2024 pending future transfer to the Social Security system. Furthermore, Garanti BBVA has set up a defined benefit pension plan for employees, additional to the social security benefits, reflected in the consolidated balance sheet.

Medical benefit commitments

The change in defined benefit obligations and plan assets during the years 2024, 2023 and 2022 was as follows:


Medical benefits commitments (Millions of Euros)
	2024			2023			2022
	Defined benefit obligation	Plan assets	Net liability (asset)	Defined benefit obligation	Plan assets	Net liability (asset)	Defined benefit obligation	Plan assets	Net liability (asset)
Balance at the beginning	1,728	1,744	(16)	1,448	1,476	(28)	1,377	1,494	(116)
Current service cost	18	—	18	20	—	20	19	—	19
Interest income or expense	167	168	(2)	167	165	2	144	157	(14)
Contributions by plan participants	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Employer contributions	—	15	(15)	—	17	(17)	—	—	—
Past service costs (1)	—	—	—	—	—	—	28	—	28
Remeasurements:	(333)	(247)	(86)	(5)	(17)	12	(215)	(144)	(71)
Return on plan assets (2)	—	(247)	247	—	(17)	17	—	(144)	144
From changes in demographic assumptions	15	—	15	(70)	—	(70)	—	—	—
From changes in financial assumptions	(293)	—	(293)	56	—	56	(191)	—	(191)
Other actuarial gain and losses	(55)	—	(55)	8	—	8	(23)	—	(23)
Benefit payments	(71)	(70)	—	(70)	(70)	—	(60)	(60)	—
Settlement payments	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Business combinations and disposals	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	(139)	139
Effect on changes in foreign exchange rates	(240)	(243)	3	168	173	(5)	155	167	(11)
Other effects	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Balance at the end	1,269	1,367	(98)	1,728	1,744	(16)	1,448	1,476	(28)

(1) Including gains and losses arising from settlements.

(2) Excluding interest, which is recorded under "Interest income or expense".

In Mexico, there is a medical benefit plan for employees hired prior to 2007. New employees from 2007 are covered by a medical insurance policy. An external trust has been constituted locally to fund the plan, in accordance with local legislation and Group policy.

In Turkey, employees are currently provided with medical benefits through a foundation in collaboration with the Social Security system, although local legislation prescribes the future unification of this and similar systems into the general Social Security system itself.

The valuation of these benefits and their accounting treatment follow the same methodology as that employed in the valuation of pension commitments.

Estimated benefit payments

As of December 31, 2024, the estimated benefit payments over the next ten years for all the entities in Spain, Mexico and Turkey are as follows:


Estimated benefit payments (Millions of Euros)
	2025	2026	2027	2028	2029	2030 - 2034
Commitments in Spain	422	278	242	210	181	618
Commitments in Mexico	196	207	215	225	235	1,331
Commitments in Turkey	28	30	37	47	60	696
Total	645	514	495	482	477	2,645

Plan assets

The majority of the Group´s defined benefit plans are funded by plan assets held in external funds/trusts legally separate from the Group sponsoring entity. However, in accordance with local regulation, some commitments are not externally funded and covered through internally held provisions, principally those relating to early retirements.

Plan assets are those assets which will be used to directly settle the assumed commitments and which meet the following conditions: they are not part of the Group sponsoring entities assets, they are available only to pay post-employment benefits and they cannot be returned to the Group sponsoring entity.

To manage the assets associated with defined benefit plans, BBVA Group has established investment policies designed according to criteria of prudence and minimizing the financial risks associated with plan assets.

The investment policy consists of investing in a low risk and diversified portfolio of assets with maturities consistent with the term of the benefit obligation and which, together with contributions made to the plan, will be sufficient to meet benefit payments when due, thus mitigating the plans‘ risks.

In those countries where plan assets are held in pension funds or trusts, the investment policy is developed consistently with local regulation. When selecting specific assets, current market conditions, the risk profile of the assets and their future market outlook are all taken into consideration. In all the cases, the selection of assets takes into consideration the term of the benefit obligations as well as short-term liquidity requirements.

The risks associated with these commitments are those which give rise to a deficit in the plan assets. A deficit could arise from factors such as a fall in the market value of plan assets, an increase in long-term interest rates leading to a decrease in the fair value of fixed income securities, or a deterioration of the economy resulting in more write-downs and credit rating downgrades.

The table below shows the allocation of plan assets of the main companies of the BBVA Group as of December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022:


Plan assets breakdown (Millions of Euros)
	2024	2023	2022
Cash and cash equivalents	60	86	169
Debt securities (government bonds)	2,267	2,818	2,270
Mutual funds	1	—	—
Asset-backed securities	—	—	—
Structured debt	—	—	—
Insurance contracts	21	21	183
Total	2,349	2,924	2,622
Of which: Bank account in BBVA	25	23	7
Of which: Debt securities issued by BBVA	—	—	—
Of which: Property occupied by BBVA	—	—	—

In addition to the above there are plan assets relating to the previously mentioned insurance contracts in Spain and the foundation in Turkey.

The following table provides details of investments in listed securities (Level 1) as of December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022:


Investments in listed markets (Millions of Euros)
	2024	2023	2022
Cash and cash equivalents	60	86	169
Debt securities (Government bonds)	2,267	2,818	2,270
Mutual funds	1	—	—
Total	2,328	2,904	2,439
Of which: Bank account in BBVA	25	23	7
Of which: Debt securities issued by BBVA	—	—	—
Of which: Property occupied by BBVA	—	—	—

The remainder of the assets are mainly invested in Level 2 assets in in accordance with the classification established under IFRS 13 (mainly insurance contracts). As of December 31, 2024, almost all of the assets related to employee commitments corresponded to fixed income securities.

Defined contribution plans

Certain Group entities sponsor defined contribution plans. Some of these plans allow employees to make contributions which are then matched by the employer.

Contributions are recognized as and when they are accrued, with a charge to the consolidated income statement in the corresponding year. No liability is therefore recognized in the consolidated balance sheet (see Note 44.1).