Presentation: Hervé Boulhol, OECD
Followed by a discussion with:
Antoine Bozio, Paris School of Economics, France
Jérôme Brouillet, French Embassy in Germany
Giulia Giupponi, Bocconi University, Italy
Enzo Weber, Institute for Employment Research (IAB), Germany
Moderation: Nicola Brandt, OECD
Germany and France, like many other OECD countries, both face strong pressures on skills availability and the sustainability of their social security systems. While Germany faces faster ageing, France has made less progress in employing older workers. Raising the statutory retirement age has proven highly effective in terms of employment of older workers, including in Germany, but it is also contentious and requires adjustments of career paths and measures to reduce the reluctance to hire and retain older workers. Reforms to complement the pay-as-you-go pension system with capital-funded plans to enhance pension adequacy and financial sustainability are hotly debated in both countries. The debate explores which reform options can enhance the availability of older workers’ skills on the labour market, while providing for more adequate retirement income and a fiscally sound pension system.
