Public unease grows over Europe's pension outlook
Widespread concern is mounting across Europe that state pension systems may soon be unable to cope financially. A new YouGov survey conducted in 6 countries indicates that doubts over long term viability coincide with strong resistance to any reforms that might stabilize public finances. Differing views between retirees and working age citizens further complicate an already fraught debate.
Between 49% and 66% of respondents believe their national pension systems will be unsustainable by the time people currently in their 30s and 40s retire. Mounting pressure on pay as you go models is intensifying as populations age and fertility rates decline. Growing alarm has followed years of political conflict over pension changes in countries such as France, Germany, Spain and Italy.
Findings show many Europeans already view their pension systems as financially unviable. Majorities ranging from 61% to 52% in Italy, France, Germany and Spain expressed this view, while 45% in Poland and 32% in the UK shared the same concern. Perceptions of future viability are even more pessimistic, with majorities or near majorities anticipating collapse within a generation.
Retirees presented a more hopeful perspective on national sustainability. Older respondents in the UK were especially optimistic, with 62% believing the system remains viable compared with just 27% of non retirees. Despite this, most individuals across all surveyed countries judged current pension payouts as insufficient, with rates between 53% and 83% expressing dissatisfaction. Sentiment was strongest among retirees themselves, reaching 88% in some cases.
Working age Europeans face considerable uncertainty about their own futures. From 57% in Germany and the UK to 72% in Italy, respondents said they doubted they would enjoy a comfortable retirement. Such unease is shaping broader attitudes toward reform proposals.
Reform proposals meet stiff resistance
A clear unwillingness to endorse major policy shifts emerged when respondents were asked about measures to strengthen financial sustainability. Significant opposition surfaced against raising the retirement age, increasing taxes on working adults, reducing pension payouts or compelling working age children to provide direct support to retired parents.
Resistance to higher retirement ages reached between 47% in France and 65% in Germany. Surveys also revealed diverging views on what the ideal retirement age should be, with opinions split between 60 and 65 in most countries. France showed a notable cluster at 62, the current legal threshold after the postponement of a planned increase to 64.
Pushback against pension cuts was even stronger. Levels of opposition stood at 81% in Germany and 61% in Italy. Some backing emerged for mandatory private or workplace pension contributions, especially in the UK where 57% supported legal requirements. Similar ideas drew support from 49% in Germany and 41% in France.
Measures encouraging older workers to remain in employment for longer produced mixed reactions. Support ranged from 57% in Poland and 42% in Germany and France to 27% in Italy. Italian respondents also favored policies that place additional responsibility on wealthier retirees, with 66% endorsing higher taxes on affluent pensioners and 52% backing limits on state pensions for high income groups.
Public sentiment in all 6 countries leaned toward asking higher income retirees to contribute more to help fund better pensions for low income groups. Support for this idea ranged from 28% to 55%, far outpacing the 15% to 31% who believed younger generations should bear the burden. Across the board, opinions aligned closely with personal interests, as retirees opposed benefit reductions and working age adults resisted later retirement or increased taxation.
