INPS is sending an important communication to pensioners these days: responding is necessary to avoid losing the check.
The National Institute of Social Security usually carries out this pension controls to ensure that the services provided are appropriate and correct. Just think of those who are obliged to submit the RED model: the income declaration which, if not sent, can lead to the suspension of all income-related benefits recognized by INPS.
The deadline for sending the declaration of income situation expired on February 24th: those directly involved previously received postal communication of this obligation. This time, another communication is about to be sent and will affect many Italian pensioners who will have to confirm that they are still alive.
The new INPS communication
INPS launched an investigation campaign of pensioners’ living subsistence: this procedure is necessary to ensure that beneficiaries continue to receive their pension regularly. Some may breathe a sigh of relief since procedure in question it is not aimed at everyone, but to Italian pensioners residing abroad. Unlike pensioners who live in their country of origin, for whom INPS suspends their pension immediately after receiving the death certificate from the Municipality, a periodic check is carried out for those who reside abroad.
To date, the management of inspection operations is entrusted to Citibank, which requires pensioners to confirm their existence by responding to a letter sent by post. These checks occur in two phases, each covering different geographical areas.
The first phase of the assessment concerns pensioners residing in America, Asia, the Far East, Scandinavian countries and Eastern European countries. This phase, which began in March 2024, will end on 18 July 2024. By this date, pensioners must return the requested certification, duly completed, dated and signed.
Who does not take this step will have to collect the August pension in cash at Western Union agencies in the country of residence. In case of non-collection, pension payment will be suspended starting from the September 2024 instalment. There second phase of the assessment, however, will concern pensioners residing in Europe, Africa and Oceania. For them, the sending of letters will begin in September 2024. They will have until January 18, 2025 to respond. Again, those who do not respond will have to collect their February pension in person at a Western Union agency. If he does not do so, the pension will be suspended from March 2025.
How to confirm existence in life
Citibank will send to retirees a letter with a standard attestation form, written in Italian and in the language of the country of residence. Filling instructions and a list of supporting documents are included in the letter. The pensioner must return the completed form to the indicated post office box (PO Box 4873, Worthing BN99 3BG, United Kingdom) within the deadline.
The form must be signed by an acceptable witness, such as a representative of an Italian embassy or consulate, or a local authority authorized to validate the attestation.
