Can I continue working after applying for early retirement?

It depends on the type. The standard early pension and Quota 41 are compatible with any work income. APe Sociale is not compatible with employment or self-employment income above €8,000/year. Opzione Donna has no cumulation restrictions.

What are strenuous or wearing jobs for Quota 41?

Wearing jobs include: night work for at least 6 years, underwater activities, tunnel work, assembly line work, heavy vehicle drivers. Strenuous jobs (for APe Sociale and Quota 41) include: construction workers, ceramicists, muleskinners, steel workers, fishermen, farmers, drivers, shift nurses, caregivers.

If I have contributions as both employed and self-employed, how are they calculated?

With totalisation you can add up contributions paid to different pension schemes (INPS employees, Gestione Separata, professional funds) to reach minimum requirements. The pension is calculated pro-rata by each body. The process is started through INPS which coordinates with the other bodies.

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Early retirement: Quota 41, standard early pension and Opzione Donna

There are several tools to leave work before the old-age pension (67 years + 20 years contributions). The main options in 2026 are: the standard early pension (42 years + 10 months for men, 41 years + 10 months for women), Quota 41 for early workers, APe Sociale and Opzione Donna. Each channel has specific requirements: it is essential to check your contribution record on the INPS statement.

Authority

INPS

Time

30 min

Updated

May 2026

What you need

✓Updated INPS contribution statement (downloadable from INPS website with SPID)
✓Documentation of first contribution payment (for Quota 41 early workers)
✓Disability or unemployment certificates (for APe Sociale)
✓INPS application form (completed online via MyINPS portal)

Step-by-step procedure

Identify the applicable early retirement route

Standard early pension: 42 years 10 months contributions (men) or 41 years 10 months (women), no age limit. Quota 41 for early workers: 41 years contributions of which at least 12 months before age 19, and belonging to one of the disadvantaged categories (unemployed who has exhausted NASPI, disabled ≥74%, caregiver, worker in strenuous/heavy jobs). APe Sociale: 63 years 5 months + 30/36 years contributions + protected category. Opzione Donna: women, age 61 (60 if caregiver/disabled), 35 years contributions, pension recalculated entirely with contributory method.

Requirements change each year due to life expectancy indexation. Always check the requirements in force in the year you wish to retire.

Download and verify your contribution statement

Access the INPS portal (inps.it) with SPID or CIE. Go to 'Il mio fascicolo previdenziale' > 'Estratto conto contributivo'. Verify years, months and weeks of contributions credited by each employer and any self-employment. If you notice errors or missing periods, apply for the reunion or totalling of contributions held by other bodies (e.g. Cassa Forense, Inarcassa).

Submit your pension application to INPS

Submit your pension application on the MyINPS portal (inps.it) with SPID at least 3 months before the planned exit date (the right accrues at the date the requirements are met, but the application must be submitted in advance). Alternatively, use a patronato (free of charge) or CAF. You will receive the INPS settlement with the provisional amount: the final one comes after the first career reconstruction.

The standard early pension has a 3-month sliding window between meeting the requirements and the first payment (from the application date).

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Portale MyINPS — Pensione

INPS

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Frequently asked questions

Responsible authority

Authority

INPS

Phone

803 164

Certified email

Website

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The information in this guide is for orientation only and does not constitute legal or tax advice. Always verify on the official portal of the responsible authority.

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