Debat og kommentarer: Arbejdsmarkedspensionerne efter 25 år: En succes med udfordringer

Occupational pension schemes covering the blue-collar segment of the labour market in Denmark were introduced in 1987, as part of the collective wage negotiations between trade unions and employers’ federations. We argue that the Danish design, which differs from designs in other countries where occupational pension schemes have been introduced as part of the legislative process, has (a) contributed substantially to restoring fiscal sustainability, (b) helped averting chronic imbalances on the current account and (c) reduced poverty among the elderly. However, the system faces a number of challenges, including debates about rules of taxation, tendencies towards a falling degree of unionization, a »zeitgeist« against mandatory ar - range ments, and a downward pressure on wages to improve competitiveness. Overall, this may reduce the volume of contributions and, in turn, weaken the macroeconomic and fiscal stance of the Danish economy.