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ROME, Italy / United Press International / June 26, 2009
Italian women may have the same retirement age as men within 10 years or so, an official said Thursday.
Civil Service Minister Renato Brunetta said a European Union directive banning gender discrimination was the final incentive to make the change, the Italian news agency ANSA reported.
Women can now start collecting pensions at 60 while men must wait until 65.
Brunetta said the later retirement age would be phased in over a decade.
The European Commission recently said Italy could face penalties if it did not take action within six months on the pension disparity. [rc]
© 2009 United Press International, Inc
