Abstract

The Budget Law for 2018 introduced changes in early retirement eligibility requirements for certain workers' categories, with particular reference to heavy duty jobs. After illustrating the content of the new rules, the article criticizes the weakening of eligibility requirements for a limited number of categories that are not selected on the basis of clear scientific evidence concerning the relationships between workers' careers, their health, and the possibility that they may be offered to postpone retirement. The final remarks point out that this strategy might dampen both equity and efficiency.