Can I retire? What requirements are needed?
Yes, on meeting the age and contribution requirements. In 2026 the old-age pension requires 67 years of age and at least 20 years of contributions. Alternatively, the ordinary early pension is reached on contributions alone, regardless of age: 42 years and 10 months for men and 41 years and 10 months for women. There are also routes for specific categories: APE sociale (from 63 years and 5 months, for the unemployed, caregivers, the disabled and arduous jobs), Quota 41 for early-starter workers, and measures for strenuous jobs. The claim is filed with INPS. It's wise to check your contribution record with the INPS statement.
📋 The rules
- Old-age: 67 years + 20 years of contributions
- Early: 42 years 10 months (men), 41 and 10 (women)
- APE sociale: from 63 years 5 months for specific categories
- Quota 41 for early-starter workers; measures for strenuous jobs
- Claim with INPS; check the contribution statement
🔓 Exceptions
- Quota 103: usable only by those who met the right by end-2025 (crystallisation)
- Strenuous and arduous jobs: reduced requirements for those who qualify
- Requirements subject to life-expectancy adjustment in later years
⚠️ Penalties & fines
These aren't "sanctions": the pension is obtained on meeting the requirements. The risk is filing the claim without the requirements, or not noticing missing contributions (unpaid periods, to be redeemed or combined). So it's wise to check in time your contribution statement on the INPS site, consider any redemptions or combinations and simulate the exit date with the INPS services. The early-exit forms (APE sociale, Quota 41) have precise subjective requirements: check you qualify. The rules can change with budget laws: stay updated.
📎 Official sources
- INPS · Old-age and early pension →
- Ministry of Labour · Social security and pensions →
- Normattiva · Social-security rules and budget laws →
❓ Frequently asked
At what age do you retire in 2026?
For the old-age pension you need 67 years of age and at least 20 years of contributions. Alternatively, with the ordinary early pension you can exit regardless of age with 42 years and 10 months of contributions (men) or 41 years and 10 months (women).
Can I retire before 67?
Yes, with the ordinary early pension (contributions only: 42 years 10 months for men, 41 and 10 for women) or with measures for specific categories, like APE sociale (from 63 years 5 months) for the unemployed, caregivers, the disabled and arduous jobs, or Quota 41 for early starters.
What is APE sociale?
It's an allowance accompanying you to the pension, from 63 years and 5 months, reserved for specific categories: the unemployed without safety nets, caregivers, civil invalids at least 74% and workers in arduous jobs, with their own contribution requirements. It's extended for 2026.
How do I check my contributions?
You can consult the contribution statement on the INPS site, logging in with SPID, CIE or CNS. There you see all paid periods and can spot any missing contributions, to be redeemed or combined. It's wise to check it well ahead of exit.
Can the pension requirements change?
Yes. The age requirements and early-exit measures can be changed by budget laws and are, over time, subject to life-expectancy adjustment. So it's important to stay updated and check the requirements in force in the year you intend to exit.
🔎 Common searches
What people search to land here:
- “pension requirements 2026”
- “old-age pension 67 years 20 contributions”
- “early pension 42 years 10 months”
- “ape sociale 63 years 5 months”
- “contribution statement inps”
- “quota 41 early starter workers”