Hunt for fake pensioners abroad, Inps triggers 'phase two'

The hunt for pensions unduly received by Italians living abroad continues. The Inps triggers the second phase of the verification of the existence in life for the years 2024 and 2025 of pension recipients collecting cheques in Europe, Africa and Oceania, with the exclusion of the Scandinavian and Eastern European countries already involved in the first phase, referring only to 2024. Which took place between March and July this year and concerned the retirees with residence in America, Asia and the Far East. Let's see how the institute headed by Gabriele Fava will continue the reconnaissance and checks to see if the pension holders are still alive, and therefore entitled to a pension, or deceased.

Inps announces that as of 20 September 2024 Citibank N.A. will take care of the dispatch of applications for proof of existence to retirees resident in Europe, Africa and Oceania - excluding Scandinavian and Eastern European countries already affected by the first phase - to be returned to the Bank by 10 January 2025. The institution specifies that, if the certificate is not produced, "payment of the February 2025 instalment, where possible, will be made in cash at Western Union agencies in the country of residence and, in the event of failure to personally collect or produce the proof of existence by 19 February 2025, payment of pensions will be suspended from the March 2025 instalment".

The procedure for verifications is already defined. In order to reduce the risk of benefit payments after the death of the beneficiary, some pensioners may be covered by the generalised verification of living status, regardless of their geographical area of residence or domicile. In order to rationalise the carrying out of the verification activity with a view to administrative simplification, certain groups of pensioners are excluded from the verification, such as, for example, those residing in countries in which institutions with which INPS has entered into cooperation agreements for the telematic exchange of information on the death of joint pensioners.

Inps emphasises that Italian pensioners resident in the countries concerned by the second phase of assessments can provide proof of existence in the following ways: by sending the proof of life form to PO Box 4873, Worthing BN99 3BG, United Kingdom. This form must be returned to Citibank N.A. countersigned by an "acceptable witness", i.e. a representative of an Italian Embassy or Consulate or a local authority empowered to endorse the signing of the certificate; through "acceptable witnesses" who are authorised to access the portal set up by Citibank N.A. in order to certify the existence of pensioners electronically; by collecting the pension in person at Western Union counters. The Institution would like to remind you that the Bank's support service is available for pensioners, officials of diplomatic representations, patronages, proxies and attorneys who need assistance with the life certificate procedure.