'Space' to improve pension system-Padoan (2)

(ANSA) - Rome, May 6 - Italian Economy Minister Pier Carlo Padoan said Friday that "there is space to consider improvements in the pension system". Speaking to Radio Anch'io, he stressed, however, that Italy's pension system was "among the most sustainable and solid in Europe". Earlier this week Premier Matteo Renzi announced that the government will introduce a new programme, APE, in the 2017 budget law to give options for people who are close to retirement age to be able quit work, if they accept a lower monthly pension.
    There have been repeated calls from trade unions and pensions and social security agency INPS to make the system more flexibility and help people penalised by recent increases on the retirement age.