Put money aside for retirement, but be able to choose how to receive it when you stop working. It is on this freedom that the consensus towards the new supplementary pension plans is concentrated: 86.8% of workers positively judge the possibility of deciding between different methods of disbursing the accumulated savings. An openness that coexists with a partial knowledge of the new rules and a search for information that is not widespread among non-adherents.
This distance is illustrated by the update of the seventh Assogestioni-Censis Report, which collects the assessments of workers between 18 and 50 years of age on the changes introduced by the 2026 Budget Law. "The appreciation for the new disbursement methods expresses the desire of workers to be able to decide how to dispose of the savings accumulated for retirement", observes Giorgio De Rita, general secretary of Censis.
How to receive the accumulated savings
Among the three new alternative options to the life annuity, which ensures payments for life, 49.5% would prefer freely determinable withdrawals: withdrawing sums without a pre-established frequency, within the limits of the law. 38.7% would choose a fixed-term annuity, with periodic payments for a period of time commensurate with life expectancy. 11.8% would opt for the split disbursement of the capital, in multiple payments over a period chosen by the member, of at least five years.
According to the report, the first two methods have been operational since July 1st, while the split payment will come into force on October 31st and provides for a different tax treatment.
For Arianna Immacolato, tax and social security director of Assogestioni, the managed savings association, the point is to keep together "Expansion of benefits and diversity of needs". Greater autonomy must be accompanied by "Clarity of information on new services", to compare the options and understand the differences.
The request for autonomy does not only concern retirement. In the decision to join the complementary pension, 43.1% indicate among the important aspects the capital guarantee, 40.6% the possibility of paying fewer taxes and 38.5% access to savings before retirement in case of need. Protection, taxation and availability of money are the needs that matter most to Italians and those on which quality information aimed at intercepting those who are not yet actively participating must be based.
Over half don't know the news
Awareness of the reform has increased. In September, 43.8% of workers declared that they knew the news, compared to 27.2% in March: a growth of 16.6 percentage points. However, only 9.1% say they know them well; 34.7% have a broad idea. 56.2% are unaware of the changes.
Younger people are more informed: among 18-35 year olds, in-depth or general knowledge reaches 48.6%, drops to 43.9% between 36 and 45 years old and to 35.7% between 46 and 50. A difference also emerges between employees, at 44.7%, and self-employed, at 38.9%.
“Awareness of the reform is growing, but the real test will be to transform this interest into new memberships,” observes Immacolato. “This is where the value of information is measured: not in the simple knowledge of new regulations, but in the ability of workers to understand the implications for their social security future”.
Consultants and AI are sought for guidance
In the last four months just 28.2% of those interviewed sought information on supplementary pensions. Among these, 53.9% consulted general information sites, 38.3% those of banks or insurance companies and 30.9% turned to financial or insurance consultants. Institutional sources, such as the Pension Fund Supervisory Commission, Covip, or the Ministry of Labour, were used by 22.3%. 18.4% used artificial intelligence. 47.2% consulted at least two sources.
The request for help remains above all addressed to an expert: 76.2% consider the support of a consultant important to identify the delivery method best suited to their needs. 44.3% also attach importance to digital tools or AI.
From trust to memberships
The distance between notoriety and trust remains. 87.8% declare that they know the complementary pension tools, but only 24% know them well, while 63.8% stop at general knowledge. However, 55% of the population expressed confidence in their ability to supplement their compulsory pension and contribute to their economic well-being in old age.
