139 According to a recent global pensions report from the Mercer CFA Institute, the Netherlands is top of the class when it comes to comparing pension systems around the world The first pensions in Italy were paid to four workers from Vercelli in 1907 In your opinion, what is the appropriate age to stop working? Do you think it should depend on your age and the contributions required by the law, or do you think there should be more individual freedom? See unit 2 5 for more information SOCIAL SECURITY State intervention in the social field goes under the name of social legislation and includes the following: social security, which provides pensions and other benefits on the basis of the contribution paid by employees during their working life; welfare, which provides benefits to people in need and especially to the unemployed; healthcare system, which provides access to healthcare to both residents and non-residents; national insurance, which assists people with temporary or permanent disabilities due to accidents at work; specific benefits for the disabled. Social security in Europe There are big differences in the way EU countries organise social security: each country has its own laws that determine who is entitled to and the type and the amount of the benefits . The Italian system The Italian Social Security system is managed by the National Social Security Institute (INPS), which provides benefits to employees and the self-employed in case of illness, maternity, or unemployment. It also provides family allowances and benefits for the elderly and disabled. ONLINE RESOURCES Welfare and social legislation to be entitled: avere il diritto day off work: giorno di permesso expectant: in attesa (di in figlio) gross: lordo self-employed: lavoratore autonomo 284 SOCIETy HELpS Pensions All people legally working in Italy have the same benefits. Their employers register them with INPS and contributions are paid directly from their gross salary each month. One-third is paid by the employee and two-thirds by the employer. Self-employed people pay their contributions directly on the basis of their yearly income. Contributions paid give the right to receive a state pension when the required age and the numbers or years of work required are achieved . Moreover, disability pensions are paid to employees who are declared unable to work by an INPS doctor and who have paid social security contributions for at least five years. Maternity leave Expectant mothers are entitled to paid maternity leave for five months. Both parents can ask for a further optional parental leave with a significant reduction of salary. During the first years of the child s life, both parents can take some days off work if their child is unwell. Pensions and maternity leave in the UK In the UK, all workers have to pay their contribution to the National Insurance. There is a Basic State Pension (BSP) also called Old Age Pension paid to people who reach a certain age, and an Additional Pension on the basis of the contributions paid. The Ordinary Maternity Leave lasts 26 weeks, but it can be prolonged up to 52 weeks; the leave is paid 90% of the salary up to the 39th week, then it is unpaid for the final 13 weeks.