A majority of Finns oppose cuts to pensions as a way of strengthening the country’s public finances, with 65 percent rejecting the idea of reducing pension payments during the next parliamentary term, according to a new survey commissioned by the Uutissuomalainen news group.
The poll found that just 19 percent of respondents supported pension cuts, while 16 percent said they had no position on the issue. The findings indicate considerable public resistance to reducing pension benefits, despite ongoing concerns about Finland’s public finances and the long-term sustainability of its pension system.
Opposition to pension cuts was particularly strong among supporters of the Social Democratic Party (SDP). Voters who support the Left Alliance and the Greens, however, were slightly more likely than supporters of other parties to favour reductions in pensions.
Differences in the age profiles of political parties appear to explain part of the variation in responses. Younger adults were generally more willing to support pension cuts, while opposition increased among older respondents. The findings suggest that attitudes towards pension reductions are closely connected to age and expectations about retirement.
The survey also identified a difference between men and women. Men were more likely than women to support cutting pensions during the next parliamentary term.
The results come as confidence in Finland’s pension system faces growing pressure. An increasing number of Finns are questioning whether the system will provide them with sufficient financial security when they reach retirement age. Concerns about future pension payments have added to the wider discussion about how Finland should manage its public finances and meet its long-term obligations.
Any proposal to reduce pension benefits is likely to involve difficult discussions about the distribution of financial responsibility between generations. Younger people face uncertainty about the pensions they will eventually receive, while older generations are more directly dependent on the benefits already promised to them. The survey highlights the difference in attitudes across these age groups, although it does not establish the reasons behind individual respondents’ views.
The poll was conducted by research company Iro Research in October, with 1,000 people in Finland taking part. The reported margin of error was 3.1 percentage points in either direction.
