ABSTRACT
Contemporary pension policy emphasizes high employment rates as a crucial measure for the financing of increasing pension expenditure due to an aging population in Europe. The birth rate is expected to remain low which, in combination with an aging population, would lead to an unfavorable age structure and a shortage of a young labor force. The demographic forecast is a strong argument for the growing demand for a female labor force and better work-family reconciliation in order to attract women to return to paid work. A common target for increasing the employment rate, particularly the need to increase female employment, has been clearly expressed in the pension policy of the EU. In December 2001, broad common objectives for the future pension policy of member states were agreed on. The general aim of this process is to ensure the adequacy of pensions and the sustainability and the modernization of pension systems in response to changes in the labor market and society in general. One of the eleven more detailed objectives concerning the challenge of the modernization of pension systems is especially devoted to gender equality. It says that member states should “review pension provision with a view to ensuring the principle of equal treatment between women and men, taking into account obligations under EU law” (Council of the European Union 2001). The progress made in the member states toward these objectives is monitored and evaluated by the Commission and the Council.
