Italian judge blocks INPS from reclaiming full year of pension from worker

An Italian labor judge has ruled against the National Institute of Social Security (INPS) regarding a demand for nearly 19,000 euros from a pensioner. The individual had performed seven days of delivery work in 2022 to assist a former colleague, earning a total of 189 euros.

INPS initially sought to recover the funds, claiming the work income was incompatible with the individual's pension status. The institute had originally calculated a debt exceeding 41,000 euros before revising the amount to 18,908 euros, which represented an entire year of the pensioner's benefits.

The judge determined that any potential recovery must be proportional to the actual period worked rather than an automatic forfeiture of a full year's pension. The ruling also mandates the return of any sums already withheld from the pensioner.