Pensions: INPS outlines the 2022 changes

Budget Law 2022 (Law no. 234/2022) has made significant changes to some pension regulations that, on an experimental basis, were to expire on 31 December 2021. These are “Quota 100” (from 2022, “Quota 102”), “Opzione donna” and “Ape sociale.”

INPS explained these in its messages no. 97/2022, no. 169/2022 and no. 274/2022, clarifying their application and requirements to access them.

“Quota 102”

In its message no. 97/2022, INPS stated that as of 1 January of this year “Quota 102” has replaced “Quota 100” which was experimentally introduced by the legislator for the 2019-2021 three-year period, which has expired.

INPS explained how it recognises “the right to an early retirement pension on reaching at least 64 years old by 31 December 2022 and a minimum contribution period of 38 years.” INPS pointed out that the legislator intended to coordinate the “Quota 100” rules applicable to the early retirement pension, with the new pension requirements to be met by 2022. The objective and subjective conditions already provided for “Quota 100” remain valid, with the new age requirement, 64 years old instead of 62.

“Opzione donna”

The Budget Law has extended the possibility of early retirement to female workers who have met the prescribed requirements by 31 December 2021.

In its message no. In its message no. 169/2022, INPS clarified that “female workers who, by 31 December 2021, have accrued a minimum contribution period of 35 years and a minimum age of 58 if they are employees and 59 if they are self-employed” can benefit from the measure. The pension allowance recalculation using the contribution method and the non-application of the adjustment of the requirements to life expectancy remain unchanged.

The Institute stated that the right to the pension is achieved after:

• 12 months from the date of accrual of the requirements, if the pension was paid by the employee social security system;
• 18 months from the date on which the requirements were met if the pension was paid by self-employment social security schemes.

The pension may be paid after the first effective date for female workers who meet the requirements by 31 December 2021.

Ape sociale

The 2022 Budget Law postponed the expiry date of the “Ape sociale” experimentation period to 31 December 2022. From 1 January 2022, further changes regarding the conditions for “Ape Sociale” eligibility for unemployed persons or employees who carry out “strenuous” activities were introduced.

In its message no. 274/2022, INPS specified that:

• a new list of strenuous professions entitled to “Ape sociale” has been introduced and, for some such as construction workers, as specified in the national collective agreement for employees of construction and similar companies, ceramists (ISTAT classification 6. 3.2.1.2) and plant operators for the moulding of ceramic and terracotta items (ISTAT classification 7.1.3.3), there has been a reduction to 32 years of the minimum contribution requirement to access the payment”;
• the condition of three-months of unemployment before accessing the payment for those unemployed who fall under certain legal categories has been eliminated.