San Marino is the third smallest microstate in Europe, with a rich cultural and historical background, making it an idyllic location to visit. Despite being a high-income country that is actively pursuing environment driven approaches, its age demographics have shifted. San Marino’s elderly make up 23.1% of its population, exceeding the projected statistics and outweighing the younger population.

This statistic will continue to grow as San Marino projects low birth rates and high life expectancy. As a result, the government has taken steps to ensure that quality of life is obtainable by setting out to reform and expand its laws to alleviate elderly poverty in San Marino.

Elderly Poverty in San Marino

In San Marino, elderly poverty is not recorded as San Marino’s poverty rate is low enough to not make a distinction. However, the country has a high cost of living and income inequality that directly translates over to the elderly, who now face the lack of social support services provided.

Due to San Marino’s landlocked position and size, it is heavily reliant on Italy for support and resources. Additionally, with a rising prevalence in chronic disease, San Marino’s healthcare system has experienced strain. In local hospitals, where certain treatments and capabilities are unavailable, many patients are referred to hospitals in Italy, and while not ideal for immediate care, speaks to their strong diplomatic relationship.

San Marino’s social security program, updated in 2018, is detailed and has a set of conditions for each coverage. Depending on the coverage of the insured, the type of provisions according to their pensions are different, causing a disparity in accessibility.

However, despite these limitations, San Marino boasts a universal health care system, making it not only accessible but free for its citizens and residents and greatly benefiting the elderly population, who are no longer in the workforce and at a higher risk for health issues. 

San Marino’s Pension System

With San Marino having their population growth decreasing, there will be difficulties in sustaining and maintaining a workforce. As a result, San Marino sought to reform their pension system through Law no. 157 on November 29, 2022, ensuring that the retirement age for the elderly is at 66 years, introducing incentives and disincentives for those considering early or late retirement. 

With this reform, it ensures citizens aged 60 or higher are entitled to a seniority pension, regardless of the requirements outlined in Law no. 158, which San Marino’s government passed in October 2011. This is one way of ensuring that the government minimizes and controls elderly poverty in San Marino. This is one way to ensuring that the government minimizes and controls elderly poverty in San Marino.   

However, like many of its laws, this reform is strict and is subject to pension reductions depending on the age of the insured. This can prove to be a problem for older citizens who have severe health issues that cause early retirement. While it is not perfect, San Marino is able to ensure that more of its residents are able to live comfortably post-retirement.

The Società Unione Mutuo Soccorso (SUMS-Maschile), which directly translates into The Mutual Aid Union Society, founded in 1876, provides mutual aid to workers in the event of accidents, illnesses, old age or disability, to make up for lack of a welfare state. SUMS continues to provide aid to Sammarinese citizens, becoming a branch of support when government policies are not enough.

Looking Ahead

San Marino is ready to take the next step in continuing to alleviate elderly poverty in San Marino by improving living conditions not only for its older residents, but also for their younger ones as well. While its mortality rates and decline in birth rates are issues of their own, they have highlighted San Marino’s efforts in supporting its elderly population and how they have acted accordingly to shifts in their demographics. Through a continuation of reforming laws, help from SUMS-Maschile, and close attention to its changing demographics, San Marino is heading towards a society where its citizens are able to live in equal measures.

– Kianna Phosouvanh-Sythong

Kianna is based in Upper Darby, PA, USA and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons