The Italian government under Giorgia Meloni has decided to move forward with increasing Italy’s retirement age, despite some within her own coalition arguing against it, with one minister even calling it “inhumane.”  

The change is said to be in line with longer life expectancy, based on data from the Italian statistical office (ISTAT).

According to the latest budget draft, cited by  Portfolio.hu, starting Jan. 1, 2027, Italian workers will be able to retire at 67 years and 1 month, with the length of service 42 years and 11 months (one year less for women). The age will increase again in 2028 to 67 years and 3 months, and again in 2029 to 67 years and 5 months.

The move is being made to strengthen investor confidence and budgetary discipline, issues France is currently facing, but that country has decided to toss the idea of increasing its retirement age due to the social backlash.

Italy is also under pressure to keep its pension system afloat in the face of an aging workforce and shrinking population.

According to regulations, the retirement age is reviewed every two years, and if life expectancy increases, the age limit is automatically increased.

The retirement age in Italy was last increased in 2019.