The retirement age in Italy is 67 years. It is the same for men and women. From 2021, it was lowered to 62 years old, specifying an additional condition - 38 years of experience. The minimum pension is now €687, or about 47 thousand rubles.
| Retirement age – 62 years |
| Required experience – 38 years |
| Minimum pension amount – €687 |
Retirement age in Italy
The reform began in 2012. The retirement age was raised to 67 years less one month. Operating period: 20 years. If a person has worked for more than 43 years, you can receive benefits early. The collected amount of insurance premiums affects the amount of payment, but the salary does not.
News about lowering the retirement age
The reduction of the retirement age in Italy is the main news of 2019. The country's president introduced new requirements: the minimum retirement age is 62 years with 38 years of experience. The sum of these numbers equals one hundred, which is why the law was called “quota 100.” If a person is older, then you can work less. Validity period: 3 years. Women were given the opportunity to apply for benefits at the age of 58-59 if they had worked for 35 years.
BBQcash experts' opinion. Lowering the age is the bargaining chip of the ruling parties. In Italy, this can be classified as fake news, because... a decrease in one leads to an increase in the other—experience. There is a requirement - a pensioner must not work. In addition, while promoting the decisions made, they are silent about the fact that there is a huge national debt, which will only increase after the adoption of the decree.
The retirement age in Italy has been lowered to create jobs for young people and reduce unemployment. Poland followed the same path, but putting forward a different goal - to boost the economy.
Old age pension
Retirement age and new reforms
On January 1, 2012, a reform was adopted in Italy to increase the retirement age. It was proposed by Labor Minister Elsa Fornero. According to the minister’s conclusions, the introduction of a new pension reform will not only equalize the retirement age of residents of the Italian Republic, but will also help avoid a state budget deficit.
The essence of the reform is that Italian citizens can retire at the age of 66 years and 11 months. But since the reform was adopted in 2012, when the retirement age was 66 years, it was decided to make the increase in the retirement age gradual. That is, the government has developed a specific plan for increasing the retirement age by year, which is presented in the table below.
| Year | Retirement age for private sector workers | Retirement age for employees | Retirement age for public sector workers |
| 2012 | 62 years old | 63 years and 6 months | 66 years old |
| 2013 | 62 years and 3 months | 64 years and 9 months | 66 years and 3 months |
| 2014 | 63 years and 9 months | 64 years and 9 months | 66 years and 3 months |
| 2015 | 63 years and 9 months | 64 years and 9 months | 66 years and 3 months |
| 2016 | 65 years and 7 months | 66 years and 1 month | 66 years and 7 months |
| 2017 | 65 years and 7 months | 66 years and 1 month | 66 years and 7 months |
| 2018 | 6 years and 7 months | 6 years and 7 months | 66 years and 7 months |
| 2019 | 66 years and 11 months | 66 years and 11 months | 66 years and 11 months |
| 2021 | 67 years and 2 months | 67 years and 2 months | 67 years and 2 months |
| 2023 | 67 years and 5 months | 67 years and 5 months | 67 years and 5 months |
| 2025 | 67 years and 8 months | 67 years and 8 months | 67 years and 8 months |
| 2027 | 67 years and 11 months | 67 years and 11 months | 67 years and 11 months |
| 2029 | 68 years and 1 month | 68 years and 1 month | 68 years and 1 month |
| 2031 | 68 years and 3 months | 68 years and 3 months | 68 years and 3 months |
The reform was adopted with the aim of increasing the number of working-age population. Today, for every working Italian there are 3 pensioners.
Increasing the retirement age is a global trend
But the new reform contains amendments that apply to people who have worked before 1996. According to these amendments, people who worked before 1996 retire according to the data in the table below.
| Year | Length of work experience | Retirement age |
| 2012 | 42 years and 1 month | 63 years old |
| 2013 | 42 years and 5 months | 63 years and 3 months |
| 2014 | 42 years and 6 months | 63 years and 3 months |
| 2015 | 42 years and 6 months | 63 years and 7 months |
| 2016 | 42 years and 10 months | 63 years and 7 months |
| 2017 | 42 years and 10 months | 63 years and 7 months |
| 2018 | 42 years and 10 months | 63 years and 11 months |
| 2019 | 43 years and 2 months | 63 years and 11 months |
| 2020 | 43 years and 2 months | 64 years and 2 months |
| 2021 | 43 years and 5 months | 64 years and 2 months |
| 2022 | 43 years and 5 months | 64 years and 5 months |
| 2023 | 43 years and 8 months | 64 years and 5 months |
| 2024 | 43 years and 8 months | 64 years and 8 months |
| 2025 | 43 years and 11 months | 64 years and 8 months |
| 2026 | 43 years and 11 months | 64 years and 11 months |
| 2027 | 44 years and 2 months | 64 years and 11 months |
| 2028 | 44 years and 2 months | 64 years and 11 months |
| 2029 | 44 years and 4 months | 65 years and 1 month |
| 2030 | 44 years and 11 months | 65 years and 3 months |
According to the new reform, Italian pensioners can retire early if their work experience is equal to:
- For women - 41 years and 10 months.
- For men - 42 years and 10 months.
Retirement age and life expectancy in Italy compared to other countries
Early retirement in 2021 is possible at age 63.
Life expectancy in different countries of the world is described here.
From 2021, the Italian Government has offered another retirement option. You can go on legal rest if you have at least 38 years of work experience and are at least 62 years old. Women can retire starting at age 58 if they have 35 years of service.
Calculation of pension payments
The size of the pension in Italy depends on the type of system. Let us recall that previously the “Retributivo” system was used to calculate pension benefits, but after the introduction of the reform, the calculation of pension payments is carried out using the “Contributivo” system.
The first system still calculates pensions for citizens of the Italian Republic who paid tax contributions for at least 18 years before 1995. If the work experience is less than 18 years before 1995, then the above 2 systems are used for calculation. To calculate benefits for residents who started working and paying social contributions after January 1, 1996, only “Contributivo” will be used.
The Contributivo system implies deductions from wages in the amount of 33% annually. The Retributivo system implies deductions of 58%.
Average pension in Italy
Pension amount
The size of the pension directly depends on the length of service and the region. The minimum pension is 780 euros, and the average pension is 1200 euros.
It is impossible to determine the size of the maximum pension benefit, since it depends on many factors: length of service, average salary, etc.
Find out how to find a job in Italy here. You will learn about the level of salaries in the country from this article.
Pensions for foreign residents
Foreign residents (including Russians) have the opportunity to receive a pension in Italy only if they have a long-term residence permit in this country, called permesso CE.
Also, a foreign resident must have the necessary work experience and live in the Italian Republic for at least 10 years . Foreign residents are entitled to an old-age pension if their annual income is at least 5,830 euros.
This is what a residence permit looks like in Italy
Pensioners who have relatives in Italy with a residence permit or permanent residence can also apply for a social pension in the Italian Republic. But such elderly people are also required to have the necessary work experience in this state.
But it is worth remembering that if a person applies for benefits in the Italian Republic, then he is always obliged to stay in this country. If he is absent for more than a month, then the payment of social pension in Italy stops for 1 calendar year. If a person does not appear in the republic for one year, then he loses the pension for foreigners.
To apply, you should contact INPS (National Institute of Social Security). To this body, the pensioner submits documents that confirm the fact of residence for at least 10 years or the status of a political refugee. It is also worth submitting papers confirming the payment of all social contributions throughout the entire period of residence in Italy and a passport.
Talk about Italian pensioners
Survivor's pension
The following may receive survivor benefits:
- Spouses (husband or wife). But it is worth remembering that only official spouses have the right to claim a pension payment. If people lived in a civil marriage, then they will not be able to receive a pension.
- Minor children.
- Parents. They can apply only if there are no direct heirs - spouse and children. Parents are also entitled to a payment if their age is over 65 years.
- Brothers or sisters. Only incapacitated individuals who are dependent on the deceased, who did not have children, a spouse or parents, have the right to claim payments.
The size of the survivor's pension directly depends on how much the deceased earned and which of his relatives will receive benefits.
Table: amount of survivor's pension benefit
| Who will receive pension benefits? | The amount of payment from the deceased’s earnings as a percentage |
| Spouse without children | 60 |
| Spouse with 1 child | 80 |
| Spouse with 2 children | 100 |
| 1 child | 70 |
| 2 children | 80 |
| 3 children or more | 100 |
| Brother or sister | 15 |
| 2 brothers or sisters | 30 |
| 3 brothers or sisters | 45 |
| 1 parent | 15 |
| 2 parents | 30 |
About 7% of Italians receive survivor's benefits
Disability pension
Disability pension amounts:
- For hospitalized people with blindness – 279 euros.
- Not for hospitalized people with blindness – 301 euros.
- For people with partial blindness – 200 euros.
- For the deaf – 251 euros.
- For people with complete disabilities – 279 euros.
- For people with partial disabilities – 279 euros.
How pensions are calculated in Italy
The age has been reduced, but the pension has not been increased—the calculation principle has not changed:
- Retributivo—work until 1996, paying contributions for 18 years. For the calculation, they take the salary for the last 5 years and a coefficient of 2%.
- Contributivo - employment after 1996. Transfer of insurance payments 9.2%, by the employer - 23.8%. They take into account life expectancy, exit time and accumulated amount.
- Mixed - working periods before 1996 and after. The calculation is carried out in the appropriate way for each period.
Important from BBQcash: the benefit amount is reduced if you retire early.
How do native pensioners live in Italy?
The life of Italian pensioners differs in many ways from the life of older Russians. And the difference is noticeable not only in appearance. On the streets you can see old men and women dashingly driving cars, smoking cigarettes and sitting in a cafe or bar in the company of friends. Elderly people in this country love and can easily afford to have breakfast or dinner in small restaurants.
Old people do not look exhausted or tired from the difficulties of life. Most of them are well and tastefully dressed, regularly visit hairdressers and beauty salons, and in the evenings they often walk around the city center. Very often they can be seen on the beaches in resort areas of Italy; they also like to travel to other countries.
Elderly people, whose health and advanced age no longer allow them to lead an active lifestyle, use the services of nurses or companions. It is common practice here to place them in a nursing home under round-the-clock supervision of medical staff if adult children, for some reason, cannot live with them under the same roof.
For a dignified old age, Italian pensioners have enough money paid by the state. After going on vacation, they face a decrease in income, but the difference is not so striking that their standard of living changes for the worse.
As for foreigners, according to the existing agreements between Italy and Russia, Russians who have earned their work experience in their homeland, but moved to the Apennine Peninsula, have the right to transfer a pension from Russia to Italy. And this, together with the minimum social pension provided to elderly foreigners at their new place of residence, can amount to an amount quite sufficient for a dignified old age in this warm European country.
Who else can count on receiving a social pension?
Low-income and unemployed applicants for social benefits €780. This is not a constant value. It may decrease if you have other income, own housing, etc. Increases if there is a child or other dependents. Of this amount, €280 is intended to pay rent. The payment period is 1.5 years.
An unemployed person must register with the labor exchange or obtain a new specialty. Work is offered in the area where you live. If he refuses to work, then in any region of the country. After 1.5 years, a person is required to find a job.
Pension amount
It is impossible to say unambiguously what the pension is in Italy. Its size will depend on factors such as type, appointment system, as well as the region of residence of the pensioner.
If previously the “Retributivo” system was used to assign payments, then after the reform the “Contributivo” system is used.
The first system is used to this day only for those citizens who paid tax contributions for more than 18 years before 1995. If a citizen had less than 18 years of experience before 1995, two systems are applied to the calculation of his payments. For all others, the second system is used.
With the Contributivo system, 33% is deducted from earnings every year, with the Retributivo system - 58%.
It is impossible to give a standard pension amount, since its value depends on the region and the number of years of service. The minimum Italian pensioner receives is 780 euros, and the average pension in 2021 is 1,200 euros.
About foreign citizens
The rules by which pension accruals are made for citizens of other EU countries are the same as for Italians: they have the full right to payments upon reaching a specified age and appropriate contributions. By the way, Italian citizens who left the country before retirement age can continue to pay contributions in order to subsequently receive an Italian pension.
But for foreigners who come to Italy from countries outside the EU zone, slightly different rules apply. Any foreign citizen also has the right to receive an old-age pension, but the number of contributions he makes is also important. The size of a pension in Italy directly depends not so much on length of service, but on previously paid contributions - quotas. The level of contributions (quotas) is the main problem for foreigners. But in case of leaving the country, the Italian pension will also be paid to the foreigner. And Italian legislation mandates minimum social benefits for every resident of the country.
toothaly.info
How to make payments?
After reaching retirement age, a request is submitted to the Italian National Institute of Social Protection (INPS) for the calculation of old-age benefits.
Attention You can submit an application to INPS online www.inps.it If you have any difficulties filling out the request, contact any charitable organization in Italy, fund employees will help you submit a petition. In addition to the application you can submit:
- a copy of an identity card or a foreign passport with a visa for foreigners and confirmation of a residence permit, a residence permit or permanent residence card, a certificate of recognition as a resident;
- a document confirming work experience and contributions to Social Funds;
- documents confirming the right to receive special payments (for disability, loss of a breadwinner, death of a spouse, etc.).
1. Employees who have made pension contributions for 18 years before December 31, 1995 are accrued payments under the joint and several scheme.
2. Persons who managed to accumulate 18 years of insurance experience before 1995 receive payments under a mixed solidarity-cumulative scheme.
Attention: Foreign seasonal workers do not have the opportunity to receive an Italian pension.
3. Persons who began making pension payments only in 1996, upon reaching retirement age, will receive a pension according to the tax type:
- if a person manages to accumulate the pension experience provided for by law, he will go on vacation after reaching the legally established retirement age;
- if there is no experience, they will leave later at 70 years 3 months.
Before the pension reform, accruals were made according to the “Retributivo” solidary system; after the introduction of changes, calculations were made taking into account possible additional “Contributivo” savings. They take into account the salary, length of service and tax payments made. Example: A man began working in Italy at the age of 25.
The employment contract indicates a gross salary per year excluding bonuses of 16,000 €. In the first year, 33% was transferred to the pension fund (PF) (part paid by the employee and part by the employer) = 5280 €. If you wish, you can contribute an additional 22.2% to an individual savings fund. Attention: Self-employed people pay the full social tax of 33%.
If in subsequent years wages increase, contributions to the Pension Fund will also increase. Let’s say that before the age of 65, a man has accumulated 300 thousand euros in his account. This amount is multiplied by a special transformation coefficient (there are special tables). The coefficient in a particular case is 5.435%, therefore the amount of payments will be 1747.8 €.
Amount of pension payments
The pension payment must exceed the social benefit by at least one and a half times. This is established by Italian law. Given the latter figure of €458, it is easy to calculate that the minimum pension in Italy should be €687. But the 2021 pension reform ensures that older people will receive a minimum of €780. Those who work for all 38 years can claim a larger amount.
Let us draw your attention to the nuances in terminology. For example, people who have never worked due to congenital or acquired disability receive not a pension, but an allowance, since they did not make contributions to the Pension Fund on the basis of which payments are made
But we will not deviate from the usual terms: the disability pension in Italy for unemployed people is now no less than € 458.
Continuing the conversation about the “quota 100” reform: an elderly person has no right to receive a pension and at the same time work. Money is credited to a special card that can be used to pay at retail establishments. But you can only withdraw €100 in cash per month.
The reform provides that an old-age pension in Italy in the amount of € 780 is paid to a citizen whose annual salary was less than € 9,360. If this figure is higher, the amount of assistance from the state also increases. It is officially planned that this system will be implemented over the next 3 years in an experimental format.
It is not without interest what amount of government assistance can be expected at a certain level of income from work. Today, the average pension in Italy is approximately € 1,140. Compared to the average salary, this is about 93.2%.
In Russia this figure is noticeably lower:
- for men – 38.8%;
- for women – 32.9%.
According to information from the National Institute of Social Security, immigrants also make a significant contribution to maintaining the weight of pensions in the economy of the Apennine state. And the country’s legislation fully contributes to this: pensions in Italy for foreigners are provided on almost the same terms as for native residents.
But taking into account these requirements:
- the period for paying contributions to the Pension Fund is at least 5 years;
- legally reside in the country for at least 10 years;
- annual income – no more than € 5,577.
The main role in the amount of the pension is played not by length of service, but by the number and volume of contributions transferred by the foreigner to the Italian Pension Fund.
Special pensions
In addition to old-age payments in Italy, special benefits are awarded:
- A pension in an IR after the death of the breadwinner (husband, wife) can receive payments:
- official wife or husband;
- child under 18 years of age;
- parents if there are no direct heirs (spouse or children) or their age is over 65 years;
- incapacitated brothers and sisters or other dependents of the deceased.
The amount of payments depends on the income of the deceased and payments transferred to the Pension Fund.
2. Disability pension in Italy:
- for loss of vision (for hospitalized persons 280 €, without hospitalization 310 €, with partial blindness 200 €);
- for hearing loss 260 €;
- with partial or total disability 280 €.
Attention: Widows of a deceased pensioner can receive their pension. If there were several marriages, the first spouse can also apply for a widow’s pension in Italy if:
- at the time of the death of the former spouse, a new official marriage had not been concluded;
- is experiencing financial difficulties.
If the rights of the first spouse to the payment of a pension are confirmed, the benefit will be divided between the official wives. Even those who have not worked a single day and have not paid contributions to the Pension Fund can count on the payment of pensions in the IR. For example, there are funds to help housewives forced to give up work due to the need to care for a family member.
Retirement requirements for foreign workers
According to the annual INPS report, immigrants make a significant contribution to maintaining the weight of pensions in the public economy.
Foreigners have the right to a pension under the same conditions as Italian workers. Foreign residents (including Russians) have the opportunity to receive a pension in Italy only if they have a long-term residence permit in this country, called permesso CE.
Also, a foreign resident must have the necessary work experience and live in the Italian Republic for at least 10 years. Foreign residents are entitled to an old-age pension if their annual income is at least 5,830 euros.
At the same time, the right to a pension is retained even if the immigrant decides to return to his homeland.
Foreigners who are not members of the EU can also receive a disability pension, disability benefits, with the exception of those who have a residence permit for seasonal reasons, if they:
- legally reside in the territory of the state;
- have a residence permit for asylum;
- have a residence permit for additional protection.
As we can see, foreign workers outside the EU can receive exactly the same pensions as those provided for Italian and EU citizens.
How to apply for a pension for an immigrant
In order to submit a request, you must fill out a document on the INPS management website. When filling out an electronic application, a foreign worker must indicate the details of his current place of residence. The document can be sent online via the Internet, by registered mail or through patronage services.
A worker who has returned to his country of origin can apply online, provided he has a PIN code issued by the INPS, or he can apply through the Italian consulate of his country of residence.
Are relatives entitled to the pension of a deceased immigrant?
If the repatriated person died after reaching retirement age, his living relatives are entitled to receive a survivor's pension, however, if the death occurred before reaching retirement age, then a survivor's pension is not due.
