More retired people than doctors are working. This was reported by ENPAM, the National Institute for Social Security and Welfare for Doctors and Dentists, at a meeting held recently in Sassari, at its headquarters, organized by the provincial Order of Physicians, Surgeons and Dentists.
"Our assets will secure pensions for the next 30 years, but pensioners have outnumbered contributing workers," is the summary from the organization's top management. The meeting also provided insight into the Sassari fund's pension figures, which, from 2024 to 2025, saw contributions collected decrease from €23.83 million to €23.46 million, while pensions to be paid out increased from €22.67 million to €24.16 million.
Surgeons and dentists also decreased from 2,839 in 2024 to 2,813 the following year. The trend is similar for general medicine, with a decline from 558 to 524 active doctors, while retirees soared from 1,242 in 2024 to 1,328 in 2025. The number of women and private companies among healthcare workers is growing.
"Our young professionals shouldn't have any worries about their pension future," reassured Alberto Olivetti, national president of the pension fund. "We have budgets with projections for half a century. The €130 billion accumulated, after 30 years of activity, is the result of sound investments, but we must defend ourselves from external interference, which regularly arises and which would like to nationalize our pension fund."
Luigi Daleffe, vice president of ENPAM, also shared the same sentiment, highlighting the benefits of the pension fund, including the honor loan, the ability to access a mortgage for a first home, even without collateral, and the option to buy back the years of university studies at low rates, immediately after graduation. During the day, ENPAM General Manager Vittorio Pulci also presented "Tech2Doc," a free platform managed by the information and training organization, dedicated to members to facilitate the future of the medical and dental professions.
Attending the first refresher course after the summer break, in addition to President Salvatore Lorenzoni and Vice President Nicola Addis, were Carlo Azzena, President of the Commission for Members of the Sassari Dental Association (CAO), and Antonello Desole, Provincial Secretary of the Sassari General Practitioners' Association (FIMMG), who signed an agreement with the Region to ensure better working conditions for family doctors. They appealed to their colleagues: "We need your support; we must increase the number of ENPAM members to more than 50 percent." The second part of the training day focused on ethics and professional conduct. Nicola Addis, Vice President of the Medical Association, outlined the deadlines for credits over the three-year period required to fulfill the training requirement, noting that, in the event of legal disputes, magistrates and insurance companies verify whether doctors have received adequate training.
