THE Italian social security system it is strictly linked to professional activity and contributions paid: to access the pension, you must have at least 20 years of contributions and be at least 67 years old.
This requirement, however, excludes various categories of people such as housewives and precarious workers. THE caregiverwho are dedicated to caring for their family members, often abandon their employment opportunities, thus losing the possibility of accumulating years of pension contributions. Similarly, precarious workers with fixed-term contracts face periods of discontinuity in payments.
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Pension without contributions: a solution for those excluded from the retirement system
We are currently in a situation where Some people have chosen to supplement their public pension with a private pension to ensure greater economic security. OtherInstead, due to limited resources, lack of awareness or different priorities, have not made the necessary payments to access social security benefits.
Despite the difficulties of the Italian social security system, There are forms of support and alternative solutions for those who have not accumulated enough years to benefit from a traditional pension.These measures do not guarantee a dignified life, but they represent a safety net that helps to alleviate economic difficulties.
Pension for housewives: how the dedicated INPS fund works
Many housewives survive on the financial support of their spouses, receiving their husband's pension or survivorship in the event of their death. However, there is an alternative that not everyone knows about: the Housewives and Homemakers Fund, created in 1997 by the National Social Security Institute.
The fund offers an opportunity for those who perform unpaid care work to accumulate sufficient contributions towards their pensionIntended for people aged 16 to 65, not affiliated to other forms of compulsory social security, it requires a minimum of 5 years of benefits.
With an annual payment of 310 euros you can begin to build up social security coverage, although to a lesser extent than a pension based on standard payments.
Social allowance: support for elderly people without a pension
The social allowance, introduced on January 1, 1996 to replace the “social pension”is economic support for those who have not accumulated sufficient contributions for the old-age pension or who have never worked in legally paid employment.
Support offers up to 503.27 euros per month for 13 monthsIt does not require a documented employment history and is aimed at Italian citizens and foreigners over 67 years of age who have been resident in Italy for at least 10 years, with an income below the established thresholds.
The Social Ape: a bridge to retirement, even when some contributions are missing
According to the National Institute of Statistics, in 2023, about 3 million Italians aged 15 to 64 were inactive, with a significant percentage of women responsible for family care. For these people, the risk of not having adequate social coverage is real.
The pension advance is an allowance which helps workers who, despite having accumulated certain contributions, do not meet the retirement conditions old age. The aid is intended for the unemployed, caregivercivil invalids and those who perform demanding and demanding work. To be eligible, you must have reached a minimum age of 63 years and 5 months, as well as having accumulated a contribution period of between 30 and 36 years.
The amount paid can reach up to 1,500 euros gross per monthThe measure provides access to early financial assistance, bridging the gap between stopping work and meeting the requirements for the old-age pension.
Redemption of periods not covered by contributions
Young Italians often face the challenge of work discontinuity and precarity, characterized by temporary contracts and long transition periods between school and work. This instability compromises their ability to accumulate the INPS payments needed for the future.
To alleviate this problem, the 2024-2025 finance law introduced the possibility of buying back periods not covered by contributions (up to 5 years, even non-consecutive). This represents an opportunity for young people who have experienced periods of job insecurity, allowing them to fill gaps in their insurance situation and approaching the requirements for old-age pension.
