Retirement age: 66 years and seven months. The retirement age will rise gradually based on increases in life expectancy.

Coverage as indicated below:

Workers first covered before 1996 must have at least 20 years of contributory or deemed coverage, or a combination. However, as few as 15 years of contributory or deemed coverage, or a combination, may apply for workers first covered before 1996 who agree to benefits calculation under an updated formula. For workers first insured on or after January 1, 1996, the notional account balance must be sufficient to provide a pension of at least 1.5 times the monthly old-age social allowance (assegno sociale), or the insured must reach age 70 and seven months and have at least five years of contributions, regardless of the notional account balance.

Early retirement: Males - any age, with 42 years and 10 months of coverage. Females: any age, with 41 years and 10 months of coverage. Workers first covered on or after January 1, 1996: at age 63 and seven months, with 20 years of coverage, if the calculated benefits are at least 2.8 times the monthly social welfare-based allowance. Early retirement benefits are not subject to any permanent reduction.

NOTE: Except for the self-employed, persons receiving retirement benefits must cease employment.

Depending on the degree of reduction in work capacity, Italy pays two different types of disability benefits, both of which are payable outside of Italy:

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  Partial disability benefits (AOI) which after three successive disability confirmations, every three years, becomes permanent; or

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  Total disability benefits.

Italy pays partial disability benefits (AOI) to persons who:

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  Have at least a one-third reduction in the capacity to perform occupationally suitable work due to a physical or mental condition or illness; and

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  Have at least five years of contributory coverage, three years of which are within the five-year period before claiming benefits.

NOTE: Since qualifying for AOI benefits does not require total disability, cessation of work activity is not required.

Italy pays total disability benefits (PI) to persons who:

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  Are age 18 or older, but younger than the normal retirement age, and assessed with a total (100%) loss of work capacity; and

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  Are totally unable to perform any work activity due to a physical or mental illness; and

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  Have at least five years of contributory coverage, three years of which are within the five-year period before claiming benefits; and

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  Cease all work activity.

Eligible persons include a surviving separated spouse receiving alimony from the worker.

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  Base benefits are 60% of the deceased worker’s calculated retirement or disability benefits.

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  Benefits are also means tested based on the surviving spouse or civil partner’s earnings from work. A means test is waived for surviving spouses with children under age 18 (up to age 26 if children are students, or indefinitely if children are disabled).

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  Remarriage terminates surviving spouse's benefits, but Italy pays a termination lump-sum settlement equal to the amount of two-years of benefits.

Up to the age of 18 (age 21 for full-time students, and to age 26 for university students). There are no age limits for disabled children.

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  Benefits are 20% of the deceased worker’s calculated retirement or disability benefit per child, or a total of 40% for three or more children. The benefit is divided by the number of children, if there is a surviving spouse or registered civil partner beneficiary. If there is no surviving spouse or registered civil partner beneficiary, or if both parents are deceased, the benefit increases to 40% per child, or 100% divided by three or more children. The benefit amount is 70% of the deceased worker’s calculated retirement or disability benefit if the only recipient is a child.

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  If the child is a minor, a student, or is disabled and lives in the household, the benefit can be combined with other benefits without any limit.

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  With certain restrictions, surviving parents and siblings may receive benefits in the amount of 15% of the deceased worker’s calculated retirement or disability benefit per beneficiary if there are no other survivors.

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  Benefits continue indefinitely, as long as eligibility continues.