Shaping the future of retirement: Aspects of sustainability

DOI10.1177/13882627211028246
Published date01 September 2021
Date01 September 2021
AuthorHans van Meerten,Jorik van Zanden
Subject MatterArticles
Shaping the future of
retirement: Aspects of
sustainability
Hans van Meerten
Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
Jorik van Zanden
Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
Abstract
As of 2021, the world is facing several crises that will greatly impact on the ways in which our
societies are shaped. This article provides a brief overview of the trends and opportunities that we
think are crucial for the area of pensions in the years to come.
Keywords
Capital markets union, consumer protection law, European pension law, retirement, sustainability
Introduction
In 2021, the world is facing several crises that will greatly impact on the ways in which our
societies are shaped. First and most recently, the global pandemic has put immense pressure on
healthcare systems, stopped the world’s economy in its tracks, triggered lockdowns and disturbed
supply chains worldwide. Second, global warming and the climate crisis have changed how we
approach innovation, shifting the focus towards green and sustainable investments and away from
fossil fuels.
1
Third, an unprecedented ageing crisis will hit Europe over the coming decades
(Eurostat, 2021) and will put a strain on pension systems (Feher and De Bidegain, 2020; OECD,
Corresponding author:
Hans van Meerten, Universiteit Utrecht Newtonlaan 201 Utrecht, 3508 TC Netherlands.
E-mail: H.vanmeerten@uu.nl
Jorik van Zanden, Universiteit Utrecht Newtonlaan 201 Utrecht, 3508 TC Netherlands.
E-mail: j.j.vanzanden@uu.nl
1. This trend is noticeable at a policy level and from market participants - for example, with the adoption of the Green Deal
by the European Commission - and the pledge of asset managers and pension funds.
European Journal of Social Security
ªThe Author(s) 2021
Article reuse guidelines:
sagepub.com/journals-permissions
DOI: 10.1177/13882627211028246
journals.sagepub.com/home/ejs
EJSS
EJSS
2021, Vol. 23(3) 200–210
Article

To continue reading

Request your trial

VLEX uses login cookies to provide you with a better browsing experience. If you click on 'Accept' or continue browsing this site we consider that you accept our cookie policy. ACCEPT