Despite this, national studies show that the distribution of public spending in the area of retirement benefits and pensions is generally regressive (ECLAC, 2007b). This occurs when the strata having independent incomes are factored into the analysis —that is, when the contributory or “market” element of retirement benefits is included in primary or base income—, given that the allocation of public resources largely favours those who already receive retirement benefits or pensions. Retirement benefits are very important in the lowest primary-income decile (54% of total income), since a significant number of households are completely dependent on those benefits.