Pensions: primarily the Member States' responsibility

Met dank overgenomen van M.G.H.C. (Ria) Oomen-Ruijten i, gepubliceerd op maandag 6 december 2010, 3:37.

Pension systems are primarily the exclusive competence of Member States, but EU coordination is necessary, particularly in the functioning of the internal market, the EU2020 Strategy, and the Stability and Growth Pact", said Rapporteur Ria Oomen-Ruijten MEP today in a European Parliament Hearing on pensions. "Member States will be confronted with huge challenges ensuring the citizens' expectations on their pensions in the years to come. Disparities between pension systems and the issue of mobility within the EU were the key issues at the Hearing. The EU has to examine how Member States can be supported in keeping pensions safe, sustainable and adequate", she continued.

Ria Oomen-Ruijten added: "Although the Member States have the lead, there are aspects where coordination on a European level is important. The ageing of the population has a big impact because not all Member States have put money aside for their pensions. This could lead to enormous expenses which will have consequences for the Stability and Growth Pact. The supervising authority should monitor the pension systems and some Member States must be encouraged to foresee a safe and adequate pension system."

"We must therefore jointly, while recognising and preserving each other's responsibility, build a system which is sustainable and safe and results in adequate pensions at Member State level."

The mobility of workers is important on the current labour market. People should be able to easily switch jobs without financial barriers. Ria Oomen-Ruijten said: "I support the portability of pensions; it should be an employee's right. But at the same time, considering the diversity and complexity of the various systems, conditions of the portability of pension rights begin with new contracts. Member States can also learn from each other, for example in areas of transparent information to citizens about their retirement provisions. I enjoyed the exchange of views today and look forward to seeing some progress in the coming months."

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