"Golden pensions", protest the categories: "We among the major taxpayers"

Against the cut of the “golden pensions” that the Lega-stellato government is putting in the social security package, the trade associations are also throwing themselves. In particular, through a joint document sent to the attention of the Prime Minister, retired diplomats, magistrates and lawyers made their voices heard, as well as the National Forum of Pensioners, the Italian Confederation of Executives and High Professionals (CIDA) and Confedir, the acronym that brings together the managers of the Public Administration. “The pensions of the professional categories we represent – ​​reads the text – have been object of an absurd smear campaign just because they are above average. Our retirees have even been singled out as parasites”.

The intentions of the Government, in particular of the 5 Star Movement, are to avoid any ax from the Constitutional Court by introducing the cut of the so-called golden pensions on a temporary basis: there will be cuts for the highest pensions from 8% up to a maximum of 20% and for a period of two years. To be precise, 8% of their pension will be lost by those with a total income ranging from 90.001 to 130 thousand euros, 12% by those with a total income ranging from 130.001 to 200.000 euros, 16% by those with a total income above 200.001 euros and up to 500.000 euros, 20% finally those with an income exceeding 500.000 euros. The cut should also concern the social security treatments provided by the Presidency of the Republic, the Consulta, the Chamber and the Senate.

"All of this is unacceptable and no longer bearable", however the professional associations complain. “Those who are holders of medium-high pensions today have paid very high contributions and have suffered particularly heavy taxation throughout their working life: the professionals we represent, in fact, they belong to the 12% of taxpayers who pay 54% of the total Irpef, guaranteeing the income essential for maintaining our welfare model. A model - adds the joint note - which also protects those who have not paid taxes and / or contributions or have paid few ".

The associations also dispute the spirit of the provision, i.e. the "solidarity contribution" that is intended to be paid by those who receive higher pensions. “It is not about applying more equity, as one would like to believe. On the contrary, it would actually lead to very serious discrimination against the middle and productive class to which we are honored to belong and which constitutes the backbone of the country. Any provision - concludes the press release - that affects medium-high pensions today is devoid of reasons of public interest ed it is therefore clearly unconstitutional".