The Pension Barometer surveyed Finns aged over 18, asking them how they viewed the key measures of the pension reform proposal negotiated in January. Almost 60 per cent of respondents considered the negotiated inflation stabiliser to be at least good.

Regarding the changes to the regulation of pension fund investments, just over 40 per cent of respondents viewed them as a positive development. A similar proportion viewed this change as neutral.

”Clearly, most Finns viewed the pension reform proposal positively or neutrally. Overall, more than half of Finns thought the proposal was good, while fewer than one in ten were critical of it. Older respondents were more likely to view the proposal favourably, but even among those under 35 years of age, 45 per cent regarded the reform as beneficial”, explains Sanna Tenhunen, Economist at the Finnish Centre for Pensions.

Half trust the pension system – uncertainty is reflected in opinions

Around half of the respondents said that they trust the pension system. Almost half felt that the pension funds were being managed reliably. Respondents under 30 years of age trusted the pension system less than older respondents.

Overall, the trust in the pension system has decreased markedly compared to the previous year’s survey. Additionally, a larger proportion of respondents neither agreed nor disagreed with the questions, indicating a neutral stance.

”The responses reflect uncertainty: fewer respondents have strong opinions compared to previous surveys. Assessments of the pension system may have been influenced by global political and economic uncertainty, as well as public discourse on the pension reform. It should also be noted that this year’s survey was conducted using a new method, which affects the comparability of these results with those from previous years”, says Susan Kuivalainen, Head of Research at the Finnish Centre for Pensions.

Most people view the basic principles of the pension system favourably

Although questions about the future of pension security and confidence reflect general uncertainty, respondents generally expressed satisfaction with the pension system’s fundamental principles.

”Most Finns view it positively that everyone is included in the same system under the same rules, that higher earners pay higher contributions and that those who have paid higher contributions receive higher pensions”, states Tenhunen.

Around half of the respondents believed that pensions would continue to be paid in the future. A third thought that pensions would ensure a reasonable standard of living. These proportions remained roughly the same as in the previous year’s survey.

The survey, which involved around a thousand Finns aged 18 and over, was conducted in April 2025. Unlike previous years, when responses were obtained via telephone interviews, this year the survey was collected through an online panel.