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INPS Extends Bridge Benefits to Close Pension Gaps

The move shields workers already in exit schemes from income gaps caused by recent shifts to pension start dates.

Overview

  • INPS, in a circular issued Friday, authorized short extensions of assegni straordinari, isopensioni, and indennità di espansione so payments run until the revised pension start date, even past the usual 4, 5 or 7 year caps.
  • The institute directed offices to accept applications that had been rejected under the updated requirements and to re-examine cases that had been closed.
  • Protections cover two groups: workers who ended their jobs by January 31st, 2026 under prior terms, and members of the public pension funds CPDEL, CPS, CPI, and CPUG who now face longer waiting windows.
  • The change answers law 199/2025, which shifted pension timing by one month in 2027 and two more in 2028, creating gaps for esodati, workers who leave early under company exit schemes.
  • Unions and the government disagree on how many are affected, with CGIL warning of up to 55,000 people at risk and officials later estimating about 4,900, while the circular offers a near term fix without altering the underlying eligibility rules.