Most Europeans believe their country’s state pension system will soon become unaffordable — but they also think the current scheme is not generous enough, and do not support options for overhauling it such as raising the retirement age. Many people acknowledge state pension schemes are in trouble: majorities of between 61% and 52% in Italy, France, Germany and Spain said theirs was already unaffordable, as well as 45% of respondents in Poland. Retirees were more optimistic about their country’s capacity to fund its state pension system. Pensioners in Britain were particularly upbeat, with 62% saying they think their state pension is affordable, against only 27% of their non-retired counterparts. Proportions ranging from 20% in Britain to 38% in Poland felt the state pension age should be 60, while 22% (Italy) to 45% (Britain) felt it should be 65.

Source: Irish Examiner December 29, 2025 11:54 UTC