Press Release: Sustainable pensions : Commission launches plan to modernise pensions in Europe

On a proposal from Anna Diamantopoulou, Commissioner for Employment and Social Affairs, the Commission agreed on the 11 October 2000 a framework for co-operation to make European pension systems sustainable faced with the common challenge of an ageing population. In the Commission's view, pension reform - while important - must go hand in hand with robust economic policy and an active employment strategy. Without tackling the problem on all these fronts, long-term sustainability of pensions and the very European social model itself will be threatened. Achieving the Lisbon objectives of full employment and inclusion will make pension reform manageable and equitable.