Defusing Europe's Pensions Timebomb

06 February 2002



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“It is easy to get pessimistic about the pensions timebomb, and could become even worse if, for example, there were a significant increase in life expectancy. “ Mr Bolkestein said in his speech on 6 February in Frankfurt/Main.

“The Commission is tackling the implications of ageing on both the economic and the social fronts. These policies form a coherent and coordinated approach. They will make a valuable contribution towards finding effective solutions.”

“The proposed Pension Fund Directive does not deal with the tax obstacles to the cross-border provision of occupational pensions. These tax obstacles stand in the way of a fully functioning Single Market for occupational pensions.”

“The Commission is preparing a Communication to address these issues, which should be published next month. The initiative will also contain proposals to improve the exchange of information on cross-border pensions between Member States and it will explore ways of dealing with the existing diversity of Member States' pension taxation systems. “

See full speech

© European Commission