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Pension levels drop for each cohort that retires. Retirement pensions have become a necessity rather than a golden advantage in the fall of old age, but despite this there are no stimulus measures that encourage and facilitate private pension savings. The Insurance Industry Union wants to change that.
Pensions are a key issue for Swedish society, regardless of your political affiliation. As the population ages and the pension system does not cover as intended, we run the risk of ending up in a future in which our elderly are forced to rely on benefits to survive.
Up to 450,000 employees do not have an occupational pension. At the same time, around 500,000 women work part time, 120,000 people are small entrepreneurs and we have a large influx. We’re talking about more than a million people who need the opportunity to save, says Forena union president Anders Johansson.
Lack of interest in change
However, this is a complex issue. Today, for example, employers with favorable tax rules are rewarded by deductions for provisions for occupational pensions. Professionals who earn more than 45,000 a month can change wages to advantage, but for 90 percent of those who work, they receive no benefits.
– It is surprising that politicians are so little interested in changing the situation. Instead, they hide behind the inviolability of the Pensions Group and see a conflict between subsidized pension saving and consumption for growth. Also, there is a misconception that subsidies would only lead to higher pension savings for people with high incomes, which is not true at all.
Three reform proposals
Anders, who has extensive experience in the insurance industry, says that there is actually great interest on the part of the Swedes in saving for pensions, but that the reduced possibilities of deduction have held back others.
– That is why we present three reform proposals; To start with, you must enter combined savings, where the state matches a certain percentage of all monthly savings. It’s easy and you can participate at the level of your choice.
The second proposal is to open opportunities for you to make contributions to premiums and retirement pensions. The infrastructure for such a model already exists in many other countries and works well.
– The third proposal is to allow seniors who sell their homes to convert the capital gain into an annuity. Then, pensioners receive money that strengthens the pension at the same time that we increase mobility in the housing market.
Much on the agenda
While pensions are a central focus of attention for Forena, the union works hard on a number of other issues as well. At this time, very relevant are, for example, the negotiations between the Confederation of Swedish Companies, LO and PTK on LAS, adjustment issues and unemployment insurance issues.
– Negotiations are expected to end at the end of September and it is very exciting. Certainly we are not directly affected by the discussions, but we will still be affected by the outcome. Now in October, we will also start our salary negotiations, so there is a lot on the agenda, Anders concludes.
DATA ABOUT THE UNIT
Forena is the union of the insurance industry. We work for a safe and developing work life for employees in insurance and finance. Our members serve in professional roles in insurance companies, banks owned by insurance companies, and insurance brokers. Forena is the largest union between academics and managers in the insurance industry and we connect students, professionals and managers.
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