Eleven: Pensions, public opinion and policy

Author:

This chapter looks at the evidence on what the public wants from pensions, and at how people react when confronted with the potential ways of achieving it. The first section discusses why it became apparent that wide-ranging pension reform was necessary. The next section describes recommendations made by the Pensions Commission (of which the author was a member) in 2005, the government’s reaction to them, and the reforms that are now being put into legislation. Subsequent sections discuss public attitudes to pensions in general, public views of the trade-off between the fundamental choices in tackling the pensions problem, and then specific views of how entitlement to state pensions should be ‘earned’. For social policy to ‘work’ and reforms to stick, social policy ultimately requires sustained public support. The conclusion discusses the long-term prospects for survival of the reforms in the light of these findings.

Content Metrics

May 2022 onwards Past Year Past 30 Days
Abstract Views 215 212 38
Full Text Views 2 2 1
PDF Downloads 0 0 0

Altmetrics

You are not currently authorised to access the full text of this chapter or article.
Access options
To access the full chapter or article then please choose one of the options below.
Purchase
Pay to access content (PDF download and unlimited online access)
Other access options
Redeem Token
Institutional Login
Log in via Open Athens or Shibboleth. Please contact your librarian if you need any help.
Login with Institutional Access
Personal Login
Login to your BUP account with your individual credentials.
Login with BUP account

Institutional librarians can find more information about free trials here