By Martin Banks - 3rd February 2011
I am pleased we have made it clear that member states retain full responsibility for their own pension systems
Liz Lynne
MEPs have rejected controversial calls for a minimum pension to be set at EU level.
At a meeting, the employment and social affairs committee threw out the demand, one of over 400 amendments made to a parliamentary report.
The report, "Towards adequate, sustainable and safe European pension systems" was drafted by Dutch MEP Ria Oomen-Ruijten and marks parliament's response to a commission review of EU pension policy.
The commission says that, at present, there are four people of working age for every person over 65 but by 2060 there will be just two.
Some 463 amendments were voted on during the mammoth meeting on Tuesday.
Members said the EU and member states "must act" to ensure that pension schemes can sustainably deliver an "adequate" income to the EU's growing number of retired people, despite the economic crisis.
MEPs also voiced concern at the widening gap between the statutory pension age (which is under review in some countries) and the actual age at which many stop work.
Older workers would benefit from better adapted workplaces and working conditions, as well as improved protection against dismissal, they said.
Oomen-Ruijten said, "Although member states have the lead, there are aspects where coordination at European level is important.
"The ageing of the population has a big impact because not all member states have put money aside for their pensions.
"This could lead to enormous expenses which will have consequences for the stability and growth pact. The supervising authority should monitor pension systems and some member states must be encouraged to foresee a safe and adequate pension system."
Further comment came from UK ALDE member Liz Lynne who said, "I am pleased we have made it clear that member states retain full responsibility for their own pension systems."
"Some had called for an agreement on a way forward for a minimum pension to be set at EU level, but thankfully these calls were resisted.
"Any move towards further regulation would have been madness given the different pension traditions and economies in each member state."
"While we can share best practice at EU level and learn from each other more effectively, the Lisbon treaty makes it clear that it is member states, not the EU, who are responsible for pension provision."
Meanwhile, a plenary session of the Committee of the Regions was told that budget cuts in member states should not "diminish" their responsibilities to provide adequate pensions.
Flemish parliamentarian Mia De Vits said, "People's pensions can no longer be subject to financial market speculation."
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