The Europeans later work
Ensuring pension "adequate, sustainable and safe". That is the goal set by the European Commission on Wednesday, opening a public debate across Europe about pensions. One way for Brussels to contribute to debates in the member states, faced with increasing public deficits and debt.
France initiated its reform, that the legal age of retirement will be pushed back 60 years to 62 years by 2018. By 2029, the Germans to retire at age 67 instead of 65 today. Spain, whose age is currently 65, is studying a similar scenario. Finally, Great Britain, the legal age could be raised to 68 years.
These measures are widely endorsed by the European Commission, who said in a Green Paper published today on the occasion of the opening of public debate."In all Member States, an aging population weighs heavily on the existing pension plans, and financial and economic crisis has only increased that pressure," said a statement in Brussels with its consultation document.
"In Europe it is expected that the number of retirees will double by 2060 compared to the number of people who fund their pensions: the current situation is simply unsustainable. To remedy this, it is necessary to consider carefully the balance to be struck between the length of working life and in retirement, "said European Commissioner for Employment, Laszlo Andor in this release.
An average exit age increased to 70 years by 2060
Clearly, the EU executive urges EU states to a widespread decline in the age of retirement, at a time when people are living longer while birth rates are sliding. "In 2008, there were four people of working age (15-64 years) for every citizen of the European Union (EU) aged 65 years at least. By 2060, this ratio will drop to two for one ", explains the Commission. The latter considers that the average age of retirement should be raised from 65 to 70 years by 2060 to maintain pensions at their current level.
The consultation opened on Wednesday last four months, until November 15, 2010. To mobilize the citizens, the Commission established a website to collect the views of each.Based on a recent Eurobarometer survey, Brussels says that Europeans are ready to accept the measures taken by EU governments. The survey found that "73% of citizens of the European Union provide a clear decrease in their retirement or think they have to work longer or save more for their old age."
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