”The EPP Political Assembly has sent a clear message about the urgent need to create future sustainable pension systems across EU Member States. If Europe is to manage rapid demographic change and secure a well functioning pension system, current pension systems must be adapted to the conditions and opportunities of today’s society”, said Swedish MEP Gunnar Hökmark, Chairman of the EPP working group on Economic Policy, following the adoption by EPP’s political assembly last week of a resolution on Europe’s pension systems.
”I am glad that the Political Assembly has followed the recommendations from the EPP working group on Economic Policy. I wholeheartedly support the notion that the link between pension entitlements and pension contributions must become stronger. Reforms are needed to tackle the problem of low effective retirement age in many EU Member States”.
”Sustainable public finances should go hand in hand with healthy pension systems. Persisting high public debt levels, budget deficits and sluggish economic growth must therefore be addressed now if European societies and economies are to successfully manage the challenges resulting from ageing populations”, concludes Gunnar Hökmark.