Men's pensions 40% higher than women's

(ANSA) - Rome, September 24 - Men's pensions were on average 40% higher than women's last year, the head of pensions and social security agency INPS, Tito Boeri, told parliament Thursday. Closing the gender gap would entail reforming the system "without reinstating old prerequisites based on years of contributions paid in, which are advantageous to men," Boeri said. "Age must be the central factor".
    As well, Boeri said lawmakers should consider reforming the present system for aggregating pensions accrued through different jobs. The current system "imposes elevated costs, which encumbers the rejoining of discontinuous careers," he said.
    Such a reform would also be in favor women, according to Boeri.