Commission: "Reforming pension systems""Ensuring adequate pensions for the future is possible if we follow through on our commitments to reform. The impact of ageing is upon us – the baby-boomers" i.e., those born in the period 1950s – early 1960s – are retiring and fewer youngsters are entering the labour market. But it isn’t too late to meet these challenges. Laszlo Andor, EU Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion, presented on February 16 the While Paper on adequate, safe and sustainable pensions in EU27 published by the Commission. The document states, "Pensions are the main income source for around a quarter of the EU’s population today" (amounting to 120 million people), "and younger Europeans will also come to rely on pensions later in their lives". Thus unless Europe "delivers on decent pensions now and in the future, millions will face poverty in old age". Europe is also facing a population ageing phenomenon entailing an unbalance between the working population and those in retirement: "Pensions are putting increased financial pressure on national budgets, especially with the added strain of the financial and economic crisis". The White Paper "looks at how the EU and the Member States can work to tackle the major challenges that confront our pension systems", Andor explained. It also "puts forward a range of initiatives to help create the right conditions so that those who are able can continue working, to ensure people who move to another country can keep their pension rights; to help people save more and ensure that pension promises are kept". The Commissioner added that raising retirement ages was "important" saying that a recent Eurobarometer survey "shows many Europeans would stay in the labour market even beyond their pension age if the conditions are right". The EU Commission underlines that the White Paper coincides with the 2012 European Year for Active Ageing and Intergenerational Solidarity. The White Paper proposes "to develop complementary private retirement schemes". Debates on the White Book (that builds on the results of a wide consultation, launched in 2011), will continue in EU institutional seats in the coming months.Eurobarometer, corruption: a "European blemish"The economic costs incurred by corruption in the EU, in its various forms and dimensions, are estimated to amount to around 120 billion per year. The figures are the result of a survey by Eurobarometer presented a few days ago by the European Commission. "Corruption is a disease that destroys a country from within, undermining trust in democratic institutions, weakening the accountability of political leadership and playing into the hands of organised crime groups. Corruption can only be tackled successfully through the will and commitment of leaders and decision-makers at all levels", said Cecilia Malmström, EU Commissioner for Home Affairs. The Eurobarometer survey (carried out across EU27 past September) shows that "The majority (74%) of Europeans believe that corruption is a major problem in their country". Almost half of all Europeans (47%) think that the level of corruption in their country has risen over the past three years"; Most Europeans think corruption exists within local (76%), regional (75%) and national (79%) institutions. Europeans believe that bribery and the abuse of positions of power takes place "in all areas of public service"; National politicians (57%), and officials awarding public tenders (47%) are the most likely to be considered involved in such activities". The majority of Europeans (70%) think that corruption is unavoidable and that it has always existed". "”It is disappointing to note that the practical results in tackling corruption across the European Union remain unsatisfactory. How many times have we said it was high time to act? Europeans expect national governments to take decisive steps. It’s time they did", the Commissioner added. The Eurobarometer survey also shows that "8% of EU citizens have been asked or expected to pay a bribe in the past year". The Commissioner added: "Corruption continues to be one of the biggest challenges facing Europe. Whilst the nature and scope of corruption varies from one EU Member State to another, it harms the EU as a whole in terms of reducing levels of investment, obstructing the fair operation of the Internal Market and having a negative impact on public finances".
