The history of the welfare state systems of the 27 EU countries is very different. Slowly reaches a convergence towards a liberal, but a supranational planning becomes more urgent in times of crisis and should not be a mere declaration of intent.

The history of social security is intertwined with that of the European welfare state and history throughout the twentieth century. With security we mean the complex of institutionalized measures provided for public assistance (the unemployed, the elderly, disabled …), that is one of the most complex bureaucracies of the modern state.

Today, if the social protection systems in Europe converge towards an increasingly liberal model, are still profoundly marked the historical differences. According to Denis Stokkink, leader of the Circle of reflection for the European Solidarity ( www.pourlasolidarite.eu ) we can divide the welfare systems in five major European models (see the fine article “Diversity continental” in Monde Diplomatique of March 2011 ).
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And ‘the pension provided for all employees who retire from the service in advance of the age limits for access to a retirement pension.

Until the date of 31.12.2007, in addition to the minimum requirement of 35 years of contributions intended for access to early retirement age of 57 are required, or alternatively 39 years of age without the requirement of contributions.

From 1 January 2008 and until 30.06.2009 the age requirement is increased to at least 58 years for employees in addition to the minimum requirement of 35 years of contributions or, alternatively at least 40 years of age without the requirement of contributions .

From 01.07.2009 the requirements for access to a retirement pension is calculated using a new method, the quota mechanism, ie a sum consists’s age plus contributory pension, which of course must not be less than the minimum requirement 35 years:
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The economic benefit provided reaches retirement age.

The retirement or pension on reaching retirement age is the economic benefit provided in favor of employees and consultants, who have reached the legal age, who have completed the required insurance and retirement contributions have ceased and that the relationship work employed by third parties on the date of commencement of pension.

The age limit currently required by law for both men and women is 65 years. With effect from 01.01.1996 until 31.12.2009 and the women had access to a retirement pension with the age of 60 years of age. Starting from 01.01.2010 has been gradually raising the statutory requirement of the master for female staff accessing the retirement of old age:
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They are divided into four categories: voluntary contributions, as figurative, a ransom, and reunion. Here we go into detail.

The voluntary contributions

The voluntary contributions are made by workers, after it has ceased to work or if it has been interrupted. The usefulness of voluntary payments is to refine the requirements of insurance and required contribution for pension entitlement or, if they have been perfected contribution requirements required to increase the amount of the pension to which you are entitled.

The requirements that need to gather to get the right of access to procedures for voluntary contributions are three years of service, although not continuous, in the five years preceding the application and have scored in the entire working life at least five years of contributions.
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The expenditures on social security provided by the last financial maneuver. Let us see what are the most important.

The budget presented by the government on the “urgent measures for financial stabilization” is divided into four titles. The first, called “provisions for the control and reduction of public expenditure”, contains, in Chapter III, the proposals on the “containment and rationalization of expenditure on public employment, health, social security, educational organization. Competition of local authorities to financial stabilization. ” In particular, Article. 18 of Decree – Law shows the “expenditures on social security.” By focusing on the changes most relevant, we note that:
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The expenditures on social security provided by the recently approved budget package.

The law of July 15, 2011, No 111 conversion of the Decree – Law of July 6, 2011, No 98, on “urgent measures for financial stabilization”, published in Official Gazette No. 164 of July 16, 2011, shows, art. 18, “expenditures on social security.” The most significant are:

Automatic revaluation pensions – for the biennium 2012 – 2013, retirement benefits more than five times the minimum INPS (approximately EUR 2,380 gross per month), the automatic revaluation of pensions is not granted, for the range of average pensions, ranging from five times (approximately EUR 2,380 gross per month) and three times (approximately EUR 1,428 gross per month), the index of automatic revaluation of the pension is applied for the said period, the extent of 70%. For pensions of less than three times the minimum INPS (1,428 euros gross per month), the index is applied fully automatic revaluation (paragraph 3);
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What can we do concretely to protect our future standard of living? Here are some suggestions to help you make more informed decisions.

With the latest innovations in terms of pensions need to integrate their future income becomes increasingly recognized. The choice of a pension fund, however, is said to be the best way forward to achieve a goal so important.

The contribution system , faced by employees who began work from 1 January 1996, has a big disadvantage. The future pension will be paid on the basis of the upright accumulated over the years thanks to contributions and accrued interest. Given that the amount will be converted into an annuity is reevaluated based on the rate of growth of GDP, pension funds promise great benefits thanks to the strong revaluation of the same potential that participation should offer. But questions abound.
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