Pension Systems and Population Change1

This chapter details certain aspects of social provision for old age and, in particular, some of the issues raised by the report of the Phillips Committee. This involves consideration of five other important state documents which, in one way or another, bear on the question of standards of living for old people. All these reports exhibit in common a deep concern about future population trends. The chapter shows that it is difficult to understand why the gradual emergence in Britain of a more balanced age structure should be regarded as a ‘problem of ageing’. It argues that the present alarm is unjustified; that the demographic changes which are under way and are foreseeable have been exaggerated, and that unless saner views prevail harm may be done to the public welfare.