24.02.2026

"Are Our Pensions Safe?"

WU matters. WU talks. Keynotes by Christine Mayrhuber and Markus Knell

On 18 March 2026, at 6:00 p.m., a discussion on fair retirements in uncertain times will take place at the Vienna University of Economics and Business (Library & Learning Center, Festsaal 1).

Debates on the future of our pension system focus primarily on financial sustainability, age limits, and pension levels, while little attention is given to the profound ongoing changes in wage developments and the job market. Careers have become more diverse and often shorter, and career interruptions are increasing. How does this affect the financial viability of our pay-as-you-go pension system? What does it mean for our individual retirement security? And how can we build a sustainable system that ensures fair pensions for everyone?

Keynote:

Christine Mayrhuber: "Challenges in the Austrian old-age provision system"
Markus Knell: "Can income-dependent pension replacement rates ensure fair pensions?"

Discussion:

Christoph Badelt (President of the Austrian Fiscal Advisory Council, Chair of the Austrian Productivity Board)Gabriel Felbermayr (WIFO Director, Full Professor at WU Vienna)
Markus Knell (Economist at the Oesterreichische Nationalbank)
Christine Mayrhuber (Member of the Austrian Long-Term Old-Age Provision Financing Commission ("Alterssicherungskommission"), WIFO Deputy Director and Economist)
Andrea Weber (Labour Market Economist and Full Professor of Economics at the Central European University, Co-Editor of the Journal of the European Economic Association)