Pensions: the perspective of the European model

Home > Blog > Pensions: the perspective of the European model

01.Jan.2019

Although each European country has its own pension systems, they have many points in common.

We live in a time when the health of our pension systems and their future are hot topics. To find out in which direction the Spanish social welfare model should evolve, we decided to look around us and compare our situation with that of other countries such as Germany, Sweden and France. Three experts from these three leading markets took part in the debate.

Sweden completely overhauled its pension system in 1999, Germany opted in 2002 to encourage private plans, and France is currently examining the reform of its public pension model. Mixed public-private models, a wealth of information, and ongoing assessments are some characteristics of the pension systems in these countries that may be becoming a trend.

While it is true that each European country has its own systems, concern for future of pensions and the intense debate on how to make the system sustainable is common to all of them.

Don’t miss the summary of the debate and the interviews with the experts:

Video summary of the debate

Interview with Juan Fernández Palacios (Spain)

Interview with Xavier Larnaudie-Eiffel (France)

Interview with Peter Schwark (Germany)

Interview with Eva Erlandsson (Sweden)

Does the savings envelope method work?

It should help you make sure that you spend what you want and on what you want. Also, if you are well organized, you will even be able to save every month. What is the savings envelope method? This method is very simple. It consists of dividing your income into...

Cognitive biases that condition what you buy and how you invest

What are cognitive biases? Cognitive biases are mental shortcuts in our brain when we receive and process information so that we can make a decision and act accordingly. They are like automatic brain responses based on years of evolution designed to help us act...

How to make the most of your cash

And the fact is that, with high inflation rates, your emergency fund savings lose their value month by month. In other words, this money is worth less over time as the cost of living rises. Is there anything that can be done? To begin with, do not lose sight of the...

What should you do with your savings in a recession?

However, the actual fall in the Eurozone was 0.1% in both the last quarter of 2022 and the first quarter of 2023, closer to zero growth than to a sharp economic contraction. In Spain, the GDP has not fallen since the first quarter of 2022, but the fact that the German...

The power of automating your finances and certain habits

It's like a vicious circle that prevents you from moving forward. The reason for this is very simple: they are processes that depend on your willpower. Even when you build the right habits, it's easy to have slip-ups that undermine your confidence and make you feel...

Should you sell your investments to pay off your debts?

The truth is that there is no one-size-fits-all answer. The most appropriate solution will depend on both the type of debt and your investment profile, which will determine to a certain extent the returns you can achieve with your investments. Safe profit vs....