Automatic enrolment in supplementary pension schemes from 1 July 2026: what’s changing

Employees have 60 days from the date of employment (and no longer 6 months, as was the case under the old ‘tacit consent’ mechanism for those hired before 1 July 2026) to make an explicit choice regarding the allocation of their severance pay (TFR). They may allocate it to a supplementary pension scheme by joining it, or leave it with the company or the INPS Treasury Fund, without joining any supplementary pension scheme (in this case, the choice may still be revised in favour of a supplementary pension scheme, whilst the choice to join a supplementary pension scheme is irrevocable). If no choice is made within this timeframe, automatic enrolment will take effect.

In the absence of an explicit choice within 60 days of taking up employment, automatic enrolment in the supplementary pension scheme takes effect. This entails the full allocation of the severance pay (TFR), the employer’s contribution (to the extent set out in the applicable agreements), and the employee’s contribution (at the minimum level set by the applicable agreements). However, an employee with a gross annual salary (RAL) below the annual amount of the social allowance is entitled to opt out of paying the contribution for which they are liable.

The Ministry of Labour’s FAQs explain that, for workers enrolled in the compulsory pension scheme before 29 April 1993, in the absence of provisions in the applicable collective agreement, a contribution of no less than 50 per cent may be allocated. Partial transfer — including the minimum rate of 50 per cent for workers enrolled before 29 April 1993 — applies where an explicit choice is made within 60 days; in the absence of any such choice, automatic enrolment with full transfer applies.

The Ministry of Labour’s FAQs highlight two situations. The first concerns individuals who are not first-time employees and who declare that they are already members of a pension fund into which all or part of their severance pay (TFR) has previously been paid: for them, membership is automatic, unless they explicitly choose to join a pension fund of their own choosing. As the decision already made to allocate severance pay to a supplementary pension scheme cannot be reversed, the severance pay portion will, as a rule, continue to be paid into the supplementary pension scheme.

The second scenario concerns employees who are not first-time hires and who declare that they do not already have a pension scheme membership that has previously been funded, in whole or in part, by their severance pay: in this case, automatic enrolment does not take effect and the severance pay remains with the company or the INPS Treasury Fund. The employee may always change this decision by allocating their accruing severance pay to a pension fund of their choice, using the appropriate enrolment form for that fund.

Yes, but only if the contract is of sufficient duration to allow the 60-day period from the date of recruitment to elapse without the employee having made a choice; in the case of shorter-term contracts, this automatic provision does not apply. This is without prejudice to the right of a fixed-term employee to opt in by making an explicit choice.

During the accumulation phase, it is possible to request a sum from the fund as an advance or a withdrawal, provided that the conditions set out in the legislation and by the pension fund are met; these may include a minimum period of membership in the fund and different amounts depending on the reasons justifying the withdrawal.

Once the requirements for the statutory pension have been met and provided that the individual can demonstrate at least five years’ membership of a supplementary pension scheme, it is possible to receive a pension, or a lump-sum payment (only if 70% of the accumulated balance generates a pension of less than 50% of the INPS social allowance), or a lump-sum payment of up to 50 per cent of the accumulated balance, with the remainder paid as an annuity.

It is also possible to receive the Temporary Supplementary Pension (RITA), which involves the payment in instalments of all or part of the accumulated balance held by a member of a pension scheme, until they reach the statutory retirement age, subject to certain conditions laid down by law.

The 2026 Budget Act has expanded the benefits available as an alternative to a life annuity for those holding a pension fund: from 1 July 2026, a fixed-term annuity – paid for a period corresponding to the remaining life expectancy as determined by ISTAT tables – and flexible withdrawals that can be freely determined will be available; instalment payments spread over a minimum of 5 years from 31 October 2026, following the conversion of the Labour Decree into law.

To cover healthcare costs arising from exceptional treatments or procedures recognised by the relevant public healthcare bodies, relating to the member, their spouse and their children, up to 75% of the accrued individual balance may be claimed. The claim may be submitted at any time.

When purchasing or renovating a first home for yourself or your children, you can withdraw up to 75 per cent of your accrued individual balance. The application can only be submitted after eight years of membership of the supplementary pension scheme.

For other, undocumented needs, it is possible to receive a sum of up to 30 per cent of the accrued individual balance. The application may only be submitted after eight years of membership of the supplementary pension scheme.