Survivors’ pension: pensione indiretta and pensione di reversibilità

A survivors’ pension is a pension benefit paid on the death of a pensioner (pensione di reversibilità) or of an insured person (pensione indiretta) to the family members who were financially dependent on the deceased.

The indirect pension (pensione indiretta) is granted if the insured person had:

• 15 years of insurance and contributions;
• or 5 years of insurance and contributions, of which at least 3 were paid in the five years before the date of death.

Start date of payments
The survivors’ pension starts on the first day of the month following the death of the pensioner or insured person.

Who is entitled to the pension:

1. Spouse: a widow or widower can receive the pension if they were legally married. After a divorce, entitlement is possible only if the court awarded maintenance payments. If the former husband or wife has remarried, no pension is granted.
2. Minor children: are entitled to the pension until the age of 18. School pupils receive it until 21 and university students until 26. Children with disabilities are entitled to the pension regardless of age if they were dependent on the deceased.
3. Grandchildren: can receive the pension until they come of age if they were dependent on their grandparent.
4. Parents: are entitled to the pension if they are over 65, receive no other benefits and were dependent on their children.
5. Brothers and sisters: those who are unable to work, unmarried and were dependent on the deceased can also claim the pension.

Amount of the pension:

The benefit is calculated as a percentage of the deceased person’s pension:

• 60% for a widow or widower;
• 80% for the surviving parent and one child;
• 100% for the surviving parent and two children;
• 70% for a child with no surviving parent;
• 80% for two children;
• 100% for three children;
• 15% for one parent;
• 30% for two parents;
• 15% for each brother or sister.

Loss of entitlement:

Entitlement to the pension ends in the following cases:

• remarriage of the widow or widower;
• children turning 18 (if they are not studying);
• completion of studies, for students up to the age of 21;
• university students turning 26;
• children with disabilities taking up employment;
• parents receiving other pension benefits;
• brothers and sisters taking up employment or marrying.

How to apply:

You can apply:

• online on the INPS (National Social Security Institute) portal using SPID or CIE (electronic identity card);
• through the contact centre on 803 164 (free from a landline) or 06 164 164 (from a mobile phone);
• through a patronato (organisations that help citizens with social security matters).