Transfer stimulates dialogue between the European trade union movement and the academic and research community. It contributes research findings on issues of strategic relevance for trade unions, in particular with regard to developments at the European level. Transfer publishes original peer-reviewed research on issues such as new developments in industrial relations, social policy, and labour market developments.
Volume 17 Issue 1, February 2011
During the past 10 years, Europe has witnessed rapid changes to the welfare state including reforms of national pension systems. The backgrounds for these reforms are complex, and their character varies greatly among the 27 Member States of the EU reflecting diverse political and economic settings, traditions, compositions and very different political legacies with respect to the interpretation of the role of government. These differences are also reflected in changes to national pension systems.