Italy's Constitutional Court removes 70‑year age cap for school staff

Italy's Constitutional Court ruled that the fixed 70‑year age limit for retaining school teachers and administrative personnel is unconstitutional. The Court declared article 509, paragraph 3 of the School Unified Text illegitimate because it does not account for pension‑age adjustments linked to life expectancy. The decision arose from a lawsuit by a Ministry of Education employee who was forced into retirement at 70 despite not having met the contribution requirement for an old‑age pension. Going forward, school staff may remain in service beyond 70 until they reach the age determined by life‑expectancy‑based pension criteria, ensuring they can acquire the minimum pension rights.

The ruling replaces the rigid age ceiling with a flexible threshold tied to demographic developments, affecting teachers and other public‑sector school workers across Italy.