Inps, checks on pensioners abroad now underway: letters to ascertain existence in the world are on their way

The second phase of the verification of life expectancy for pensioners resident in Europe, Africa and Oceania, excluding the Scandinavian countries and Eastern European countries already affected by the first phase, has been launched. This was announced by the Inps (message 2624 of 9 September 2025). As from 17 September 2025, Citibank N.A. will take care of the dispatch of applications for proof of life for pensioners resident in Europe, Africa and Oceania, to be returned to the bank by 15 January 2026.

If the certificate is not produced, the payment of the February 2026 instalment, where possible, will be made in cash at the Western Union agencies of the country of residence and, in the case of failure to collect the pension in person or to produce the certificate of existence by 19 February 2026, the payment of pensions will be suspended from the March 2026 instalment. To make the payment at the Western Union counter, the pensioner, in possession of an identity document with a photo and personal details corresponding to those used by INPS for the payment arrangement, must produce to the Western Union operator the Money Transfer Code Number (MTCN) and communicate both the amount of the instalment and the name of the payer (INPS) of the payment arranged at the counter.

The INPS explains that, in order to reduce the risk of benefit payments after the death of the beneficiary, and in a logic of prevention of critical issues arising from possible recovery actions for unduly paid sums, some pensioners may be affected by the generalised verification of living status regardless of their geographical area of residence or domicile.