Early pensions, longer windows: towards a change in the rules

A possible squeeze is coming for those who aim at early retirement only on the basis of paid contributions: the Budget Law is reportedly examining the possibility of introducing an extension of the windows for access to the early retirement pension, with 42 years and 10 months of contributions (41 and 10 for women), which are currently stopped at three months.

As of this year, the windows for Quota 103 have been lengthened from 3 to 7 months for the private sector and from 6 to 9 for the public sector. For next year there would be a discussion about lengthening the windows for early retirement, regardless of age, from 3 to 6-7 months.

The increase of the windows would lead to the exit from work after 43 years and 4 months - or even 43 years and 5 months if the window is lengthened to 7 months - for men and after 42 years and 4 months for women. This would restore the balance with the Quota 103 channel (62 years of age and 41 contributions), which has become not only more difficult to achieve with the lengthening of the windows, but also less convenient with the imposition of the contributory recalculation method, which for many means a reduction in the pension allowance once it is fully implemented. On the other hand, it seems remote, but not completely ruled out, that the possible introduction of the contributory calculation method to be applied on all contributions paid, regardless of age, could also be introduced for early retirement with 42 years and 10 months. This intervention would lead to significant savings but would be hardly acceptable to the current majority as well as to the trade unions.