The context

Counting on an adequate income and the guarantee to live free from poverty and social exclusion are fundamental to the enjoyment of a dignified life, including for older persons. Often unable to stay in or return to the labour market, pensions are the main source of income for older people in the EU. Pension reforms have meant in many countries a devaluation of future pension rights in the last years.
The risk of poverty and exclusion among older persons increases since 2015 and particularly women over 75 are at higher risk.

Our key messages

We believe that a career full of contributions in terms of work and unpaid care, as well as universal life-risks such as disease, disability or economic downturns should entitle all persons to enjoy retirement commensurate with their contributions. We also believe in the fundamental ‘freedom from want’, meaning that the EU and Member States should put all their efforts into attaining the Sustainable Development Goal of ending poverty by 2030.

This policy area also covers the social inclusion in the larger sense, such as access to essential goods and services, the right to energy, the fight against loneliness.

We call…

• On the EU and Member States to realise the promise of ‘Ending Poverty” (Sustainable Development Goal 1) by 2030, notably through adequate minimum income schemes throughout the lifespan and adequate minimum pensions
• For pension systems to keep up with rising living costs and on governments to include older persons in their support measures when living costs surge
• For an adequate compensation of times spent outside the labour market on grounds of childcare, informal care, disability, sickness or unemployment through pension credits
• For inclusive and universal social protection systems that support persons in all situations of distress.

We work to:

• Contribute with our positions to the work of the EU and Member States on social issues, namely in the realisation of the European Pillar of Social Rights and its Action Plan, and through our voice in the European Semester process of social and economic policy coordination and the regulation of private and occupational pension products.
• Raise at United Nations’ level the issue of old-age poverty and social exclusion in the UN Open-Ended Working Group on Ageing, such as in its discussions on economic security or on social protection.