Most Europeans think state pensions will become unaffordable, polling shows

YouGov survey finds many say payments are too low and oppose reforms such as raising retirement age or cuts

Most Europeans believe their country’s state pension system will soon become unaffordable – but they also think the current scheme is not generous enough, and do not support options for overhauling it such as raising the retirement age.

As populations age and fertility rates decline, Europe’s “pay as you go” state pension systems, cornerstones of the welfare state that have always relied on people in work paying the retirees’ pensions, are coming under increasingly heavy pressure.