Supplementary pensions bide their time

"The possibility of further promoting the second and third pillars of old-age provision will be analysed" It was in these very cautious terms that the Frieden government's coalition agreement introduced the idea of reforming the pensions system last winter, even though none of the parties that make it up had dared to mention it during the general election campaign.

Although it began by asserting that "compulsory insurance will remain the central pillar of the pension system", the government revealed its game by mentioning the second and third pillars of this system, namely supplementary pension schemes and individual retirement provision. In fact, in an interview with Paperjam just over a year ago, Social Security Minister Martine Deprez (CSV) stated quite directly that "this strengthening is one of the priorities included in the government's programme". In the meantime, the Minister has toned down her statements, stressing that the government had no preconceived ideas or positions on the subject, and launched the national debate on pensions, which should lead to possible avenues of reform in the spring.