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> livable pensions This is a myth. People struggle on state pensions throughout Europe, but for some reason young Americans idealize everything that comes out
by flavius29663 5y ago
> livable pensions
This is a myth. People struggle on state pensions throughout Europe, but for some reason young Americans idealize everything that comes out of Europe.
In Germany(a country of 80 mil), the average pension is $1000 once you get to 65. In France it's not much more. The social security in the US beats that, plus you can usually afford a private pension, because the government doesn't take 50% of your paychecks.
I personally know someone in Austria that worked all his life for the railroad, then he got sicker and sicker, but the state wouldn't give him a disability pension. He could barely work sitting all day. Then he got disability at around age 60, but he needed money so much that he had to collect scrap metal to make ends meet. Very sick, after 60 years old, collecting metal. This is just an anecdote...I know, but still.
- ElKrist 5y agoAre you talking about the minimum pensions only? In France, the average pension is 1393€ (~ $1574) [1] Also the retirees purchasing power is higher than the working population [2] Don't get me wrong, there are still too many retirees with too little money in France. But on average, the retirees are doing OK compared to the rest of the population. [1] https://cleerly.fr/retraite/retraite-moyenne https://cleerly.fr/retraite/retraite-moyenne [2] https://www.lefigaro.fr/retraite/les-retraites-ont-un-niveau-de-vie-superieur-au-reste-de-la-population-20190409 https://www.lefigaro.fr/retraite/les-retraites-ont-un-niveau...
- flavius29663 5y agoI was commenting for the Americans. In the US you get a "meagre" state pension (social security) and people believe that Europeans have so much more...well that US state pension is on average $1500. But Americans have in general much better private funds, because they have lower taxes. Before you ask, healthcare is free for retirees.
- Dma54rhs 5y agoIt's absolutely true and Americans like to do the evangelization of these strange beliefs about Europe. There are good and bad parts about every system and thinking everything is perfect in Europe is about as dumb as Euros are socialists and its bad dogma.