Experts discuss the adaptability of the pension system

The debate about the future orientation of the Luxembourg pension system is in full swing. According to the orientation debate on Wednesday in parliament, the discussions will now be continued in the expert groups.

The first round took place on Friday at Bourglinster Castle. It was about the adaptability of the pension system and how the system can do justice to people's realities of life.

Representatives of the patronage, unions and numerous youth organizations, the parties represented in parliament, representatives of the Statec, the pension fund (CNAP) and the Inspection Générale de la Sécurité Sociale (IGSS) and the responsible minister Martine Deprez (CSV).

Uel: Discussion contributed to better understanding of individual positions

After the presentation of the Statec, all groups have presented them and discussed them in the plenum. After the meeting, Michel Reckinger from the Union of the Entreprises Luxembourgeoise (UEL) spoke of a productive exchange, « which contributed to better understanding the individual perspectives and from which the government can record individual elements to determine their position, » said Reckinger.

The positions vary in some cases, « but if you listened well, you could see points where you can work, or your direction you can follow ».

In the end, the process is about getting a look at the pension system from above and not about creating a wish list. « It's about saving the pension system that is not sustainable. » Decisions would have to be made either way. « But in any case, the discussion contributed to understanding why some find one or the other position better or less well, » said Reckinger.

OGBL: Interesting but little target discussion

Pit Bach from the OGBL had a completely different picture of the exchange. The discussion was interesting, « but we talked past the topic, » he said on request. There was a lot of discussion about the possibilities of a progressive pension entry, but it is actually a question of « how we can secure the pension system financially ». The discussion did not really contribute to answering this question. It is also still unclear in which direction the government would control. « That remains the big surprise bag. »

Youth council: perceive the voice of young people

« Everyone had two minutes to comment on the various topics, » explains Liam Bremer, chairman of the youth council. Nevertheless, he is satisfied with the format of the discussion round on Friday. « This was really not superfluous because it gives us the opportunity to express ourselves as the deputy of the youth, » said Liam Bremer. He was therefore optimistic that the voice of the youth would be heard and could therefore influence the future reform.

In the coming weeks, meetings with other civil society actors are planned. The National Women's Council will take part in the meeting on April 4 (topic: equality) and the Mouvement Écologique is invited to the pension debate for April 24. Liam Bremer has great expectations for this last round. « It will be about financing the pension system, which will trigger the most discussions ».