The INPS Separate Pension Scheme (Gestione Separata INPS) is a separate pension scheme
within the Italian social security system. It was established by Law No.
335/1995 to provide compulsory pension coverage for people who are not enrolled
in any other compulsory pension scheme.
It applies in particular to:
- self-employed professionals holding a VAT number who are not covered by their own professional pension scheme (e.g. lawyers, doctors, surveyors, etc.)
- coordinated and continuous collaborators (Co.co.co.)
- company directors who receive remuneration
- certain other categories of persons for whom no other compulsory pension scheme is provided.
For self-employed professionals without their own pension scheme and for company
directors receiving remuneration, registration and the payment of contributions
are compulsory even if they are already insured under another pension scheme
(e.g. the scheme for traders).
Calculation of contributions
Contributions are, in principle, calculated on the basis of the income. The contribution
rates are set annually by the INPS and depend on the activity carried out and
the personal circumstances of the insured person.
In the case of self-employed professionals, the payment of contributions is normally the
responsibility of the taxpayer themselves. Contributions are generally paid
using the F24 form.
Unlike other social security schemes, the Separate Pension Scheme does not provide for
a minimum contribution base; in other words, there are no fixed minimum
contributions to be paid. However, if contributions are paid on a basis lower
than the minimum income threshold for the traders’ or craftspeople’s insurance
scheme, the contribution year is not fully credited for pension calculation
purposes. It is therefore advisable to take the annual minimum income threshold
into account.
In the case of coordinated and continuous collaboration arrangements (Co.co.co.), contributions
are generally paid by the contracting party, with part borne by the
collaborator and part by the contracting party themselves.
Aggregation of insurance periods
Anyone who, during their working life, has paid contributions into different pension
schemes may, under certain conditions, apply for the aggregation of their
insurance periods. This allows different contribution periods to be taken into
account for the purposes of their future pension.
The ‘Estratto contributivo’ (Contribution Statement) enables the insured person to check the
insurance periods recorded with the INPS. It is the insured person’s personal
contribution record, which sets out the insurance and contribution periods
registered with the INPS. The insured person can therefore verify the
contribution periods included in their pension record and identify any
discrepancies at an early stage.
Importance for pension provision
The INPS Separate Scheme therefore represents an important component of the Italian
social security system. In particular, it enables self-employed professionals
without their own professional pension scheme, as well as persons carrying out
activities similar to those of employee, to build up compulsory pension
coverage. Correct classification of the activity carried out and the regular
payment of contributions are essential to ensure that the insurance periods
accrued can be taken into account for the purposes of the future pension.