Abstract
This chapter shows real differences in how the intergenerational contract is seen by young and old in five European welfare states. There is a general consensus on the importance of combating old-age poverty, although most people expected the state safety net to weaken. In the UK in particular and in Denmark and Norway people anticipated greater individual responsibility, while in Slovenia they wanted more from the state. Conversely there was strong support by both older and younger participants for social investment, and it was striking how in all countries older people were willing to sacrifice income to provide better opportunities for their children’s generation. The UK stands out in the expectation that government will be unable to cope with the rising cost of pensions, the NHS and social care. Although people want them, these services are seen as simply unsustainable.
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- 1.
AROPE refers to the share of the population that fits in one or more of the following categories: at risk of poverty after social transfers (set at 60% of national median equivalised disposable household income), severely materially deprived and living in a household with very low work intensity. The AROPE rate is one of the headline indicators of the EU 2020 strategy (see Eurostat 2017).
- 2.
The State Pension age for men is currently (August 2017) 65 years. For women, it will reach 65 years in November 2018. After that the equalised State Pension Age for both women and men will increase to 66 by October 2020, to 67 by 2028 and to 68 by 2037.
- 3.
It is important to note that in reality this argument is inaccurate since care is means-tested and very few cases are poor enough to get free care.
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Schøyen, M.A., Hvinden, B. (2018). Intergenerational Solidarity and the Sustainability of State Welfare. In: Taylor-Gooby, P., Leruth, B. (eds) Attitudes, Aspirations and Welfare. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-75783-4_5
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