A] Prelude
For more information on pension systems, risk and coverage, feel free to visit our dedicated webpages:
• https://expatpensionholland.nl/europe-expat-pensions
• https://expatpensionholland.nl/global-pillars-systems
• https://expatpensionholland.nl/global-investments-risks-0
• https://expatpensionholland.nl/global-social-security-coverage
For even more information about this topic feel free to visit the following external sites:
• https://op.europa.eu/webpub/grow/factsheets/retiring-in-the-eu/en/
• https://www.euronews.com/business/2026/07/31/retirement-ages-today-vs-the-future-how-long-will-europeans-work
B] The Issue
Set out in Recommendation (EU) 2025/2384, approved in November 2025 as part of the Savings and Investment Union initiative led by Commissioner Maria Luís Albuquerque, these measures aim to boost future retirement income.
However, under Article 288 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, these recommendations are of a non-binding nature; the decision on whether and how to implement them at the national level rests entirely with each Member State.
C] Free National Service
Proposal 1
A key proposal from Brussels is the creation of a single, free national service in each country.
This digital platform will allow citizens to view—in an integrated manner—their accumulated pension entitlements from general public schemes (Pillar 1), occupational pension plans (Pillar 2), and individual savings products(Pillar 3), while also providing estimates of their projected future income.
Which system already exists in several EU Member States among which for example The Netherlands. Where this systems works fine and provides a lot of information and quick insight for citizens.
Proposal 2
Additionally, the proposal suggests establishing national assessment dashboards to gather aggregated data on pension fund coverage, sustainability, and performance, thereby supporting policy decision-making. Which approach already exists for example in The UK and works fine over there.
Especially the part of the comparison of the performance of pension funds and the implications that they have to end their business if they do not perform best in class.
Proposal 3
The initiative with the greatest potential impact lies in the principle of automatic enrollment in supplementary pension schemes (Pillar 2).
Under this model, worker participation in the savings plan becomes the default option, potentially featuring simplified or life-cycle-tailored contribution rates and investment choices, while still safeguarding the right to opt out within the statutory timeframes established by each country.
Many international studies have shown that such an automatic enrollment is one of the best ways to substantially increase retirement funding long term. Often followed by a gradual increase of the required amount of annual premium over the years.
D] Contribution Volume
The Commission emphasises that this instrument does not guarantee an immediate or automatic increase in pensions, as the final payout will always depend on the volume of contributions made, any employer matching contributions, and investment performance.
This package also encourages national governments to grant the most important tax incentives and advocates for the inclusion of self-employed workers or those with atypical employment arrangements through flexible contribution options. The latter has become an issue in most countries worldwide.
In Portugal, the European framework does not entail immediate, automatic implementation.
However, in February 2026, the Insurance and Pension Funds Supervisory Authority (ASF) revealed it was drafting a proposal for the Government on implementing automatic enrollment in Occupational Defined Contribution (DC) Plans and creating a unified platform for checking pension entitlements.
E] Finally
Realising these measures will depend on national legislative processes and the EU-level monitoring scheduled for the 2027 mid-term review of the Savings and Investment Union.
(Source: theportugalnews/EPH)