Hard-working workers, applications for early retirement by 1 May

Workers who want to apply for recognition of performing particularly strenuous and heavy work in order to be able to retire in 2027 must apply by 1 May 2026. This was specified by the Inps in a message. Applications must be submitted by 1 May 2026 for those who become eligible for retirement between 1 January and 31 December 2027.

It is necessary to have accrued a quota of 97.6 for employees (with at least 35 years of contributions and a minimum age of 61 years and seven months) and 98.6 for the self-employed (with at least 35 years of contributions and a minimum age of 62 years and 7 months). The usurious activity must have been performed for at least half of the working life or for at least 7 years in the last 10. The requirements are not adjusted for increases in life expectancy until 31 December 2028.

This applies to workers on the so-called 'chain line', drivers of public transport vehicles; night shift workers employed for 78 or more working days per year; night workers working for periods of time equal to the entire working year.

An application for recognition of the benefit may also be submitted by employees in the private sector who have performed particularly strenuous and heavy work and who achieve the right to a pension by cumulating the contributions paid in one of the special management schemes for self-employed workers, in accordance with the rules laid down for these special management schemes.