For some pensioners, July turns out to be the month of changes: some will not be able to receive their pension as usual.
July is an important month for retirees, since it will give many of these access to the long-awaited fourteenth. Yet whether right or not, July also feels like the month of changes by INPS: what is wrong, according to the institute, are the accreditation methods.
Transport of cheques they can in fact lead to the loss of the same, causing delays and, consequently, missed payments. To overcome this problem, INPS has structured a new payment plan which will affect as many as 317,000 Italian pensioners. The payment of most payslips in the month of July (and for those to come) will take place as usual: either by bank or postal transfer. For the remaining category of pensioners, all that remains is to mobilize to ensure that this does not happen delays or misunderstandings.
Pensions: a plan for greater security and efficiency
And now, a sigh of relief for many pensioners, as the National Institute of Social Security has announced important changes, but not for everyone. The ones who have to get moving are Italian pensioners living in Austria, Belgium, Tunisia and Australia. In fact, starting from the month of July, the INPS will eliminate the payment of pensions by cheque to improve efficiency and reduce problems related to postal disruptions.
The INPS plan, as already mentioned, aims to avoid frequent problems related to the loss of checks during transport and to combat undue disbursements. Currently, Citibank manages the pension payment service abroad, offering different payment methods: credit to the current account, cash at direct correspondent branches (generally Western Union), or non-transferable deposit cheque. However, the latter option will be gradually eliminated.
The new collection methods
For pensioners residing in Austria, Belgium, Tunisia and Australia, INPS has introduced new operating instructions. Recently, pensioners in Europe received a form from Citibank to provide their banking details. This form, accompanied by a copy of a valid identity document and your bank details (Bic and Iban or Sort Code and account number for the UK), it had to be completed and returned by June 15th.
Who has not yet sent the form you will have to collect your July pension in cash at a Western Union counter in your country of residence. Starting from July 1st, therefore, new pensions or pension transfers from Italy will be paid in cash at Western Union branches, unless they are provided the bank details for credit via bank transfer. Finally, INPS clarified that this collection method will also remain active for subsequent payments, until pensioners request a change in payment methods.
