Voluntary regional pension insurance for housewives

It is a voluntary regional insurance for housewives for the constitution of a regional old age pension, intended for people who cannot benefit from a pension from other social security institutions due to the lack of social security contributions.

The Trentino-South Tyrol Region has provided for a minimum period of 15 years of voluntary insurance membership and the payment of at least 15 and a maximum of 18 years of social security contributions.

The possibility of joining the regional insurance was definitively closed on 22 February 2005.

Pension Characteristics

Depending on the insurance plan chosen during enrolment and a special mathematical calculation, the amount of the pension for the year 2025 resulting from the contributions paid varies from a minimum of 520.50 euros gross to a maximum of 624.60 euros gross per month for thirteen months.

Until 31 December 2024, if personal and marital income did not exceed certain limits, the gross monthly pension amount was supplemented up to EUR 597.39. As of 1 January 2025, the possibility of supplementing the regional minimum old age pension is no longer provided for.

In the event of the death of the beneficiary, the pension is not reversible.

The pension was revalued annually according to the automatic equalisation established by ministerial decree and is subject to the taxation in force for each year of benefit.

As of 1 January 2025, the pension is no longer equalised; the gross amount of the pension remains constant over time, at the value enjoyed on 31 December 2024.

The contribution is established annually by resolution of the Regional Council; the amount for the year 2025 has been set at EUR 1,686.00. For families with medium-low incomes, however, there is a percentage reduction of this amount of up to 50%.

For those who have cared for children up to the age of fifteen years or 100% incapacitated family members with accompaniment, without carrying out any other work activity, a notional contribution of up to a maximum of 3 years is credited (possibly deducted from the minimum 15 years of social security contributions, if explicitly requested by the insured person).

Those who have paid contributions to other pension funds that cannot be used to apply for a pension, because they are not sufficient for a pension, may credit them through redemption up to a maximum of 5 years. Redemption is onerous, must be paid in the year of retirement and a share of the amount is borne by the Trentino-South Tyrol Region.

Given the incompatibility of the regional pension with other direct pensions, all those who were not insured with other funds as employees or self-employed could register.

On the other hand, those who already had a direct pension could not join.
It is possible at any time to stop paying contributions and renounce the regional pension, obtaining a refund of 80% of the amount paid.

In the event of the premature death of the insured person, 100% of the revalued contributions paid will be refunded to the spouse or children.

A pension for housewives presupposes that the person enrolled in the insurance voluntarily chooses to carry out, directly, habitually and predominantly, the activity of a housewife within their household (organisation and running of family life, care and education of children or minors in the household, care and support of non-self-sufficient family members).

This requirement must be maintained throughout the duration of the insurance (a minimum of 15 calendar years from the date of enrolment).

At the date of enrolment, the housewife must meet the following requirements

• to have been a registered resident in the Trentino-South Tyrol region for at least three continuous years, or to be married to a person who has been a registered resident in the region for three continuous years
• not be enrolled in a compulsory social security system as a result of self-employment or employment, with the exclusion of persons enrolled in the separate INPS (National Social Security Institution) (those who carry out continuous coordinated collaborations, professional services, etc.)
• do not hold a direct pension paid by Italian or foreign social security institutions (the spouse's survivor pension and other non-contributory pensions are indirect pensions).

An application for a pension can only be submitted by an insured person who meets the requirements of age (65 years of age), years of insurance seniority (at least 15 years of membership) and years of social security contributions (minimum 15 and maximum 18 years).

The requirement of not holding a direct pension from other Italian or foreign social security bodies must be maintained throughout the duration of the regional old age pension benefit.

The possibility of registering for voluntary regional pension insurance for housewives has been definitively closed since 22 February 2005.

Insured persons must submit an annual declaration in lieu of certification and affidavit to verify that they meet the requirements of residence in Trentino, social security coverage and household income.

The annually updated forms are sent to the insured persons' address of residence by the Provincial Agency for Supplementary Assistance and Welfare.

There is the possibility of opting out of the insurance up to the day before applying for a pension and obtaining a refund of 80% of the contributions paid.

In the event of the death of the insured person, the surviving spouse or, failing that, the children, shall notify the Agency of the IBAN details for crediting 100% revalued of the sums paid by the insured person.

Maximum waiting days.