Welfare Reform on the Web (November 2001): Pensions - UK

AFTER THE BABY BOOMERS COME OLD BEGGARS

C. Denny

Guardian, Aug. 20^th 2001, p.25

Article discusses the pensions dilemma confronting the government faced by an ageing population. It can rescue the poorest pensioners from penury through means tested benefits, provide incentives to encourage savings for retirement, and/or cap public spending. Any two combinations are possible, but not all three at once. Solutions could include compulsory retirement savings, or a restoration of the link between the state pension and earnings combined with raising the retirement age.