Italy tightens early retirement rules for 2026 and 2027

Italy’s pension system will see stricter early‑retirement conditions starting in 2026. The ordinary early‑retirement scheme, introduced in 2012, will require 42 years and 10 months of contributions for men and 41 years and 10 months for women, with special provisions for early‑career workers and those who began contributing after 31 December 1995.

From 1 January 2027 the government will add an extra month to most eligibility thresholds. The statutory retirement age will rise to 67 years and 1 month, and the contribution requirement for early‑retirement will become 42 years and 11 months for men and 41 years and 11 months for women. The “Quota 41” scheme will need 41 years and 1 month of contributions. The social allowance will increase to about €561 per month, and the minimum pension needed to qualify for early‑retirement will rise from roughly €1,638 to €1,683 per month, reflecting the higher allowance level.