Questionnaire surveys

The next Views on Pensions survey will be carried out in the autumn of 2024

The survey Views on Pensions outlines in various ways Finns’ opinions on how well the Finnish pension system works and how trustworthy it is, as well as how people have prepared themselves financially for their time in retirement. The survey also explores Finns’ knowledge with questions that measure their own experience and detailed, objectively measurable questions. The results help us follow up on Finns’ views on and knowledge of pensions, as well as their financial preparedness and changes in these.

The next survey will be conducted in the autumn of 2024. The survey is sent to 5,000 randomly selected working-aged Finnish citizens. The processing of personal data collected in connection with the survey adheres to the requirements of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) of the EU and Finnish national legislation.

The subject has been researched before in connection with the 2019 survey Views on Pensions and the 2011 and 2014 surveys Trust in the Pension System. The surveys Trust in the Pension System examined the trust in the pension system and in pensions, as well as the respondents’ financial preparedness for retirement. The subject area of the 2019 survey was expanded to knowledge of pensions and knowledge of the 2017 pension reform.

Based on previous surveys, we have published research reports and research articles.

Publications:

• Tenhunen 2021. Financial preparation for retirement. Questionnaire survey on views relating to pensions (Julkari)
• Palomäki et al. 2020. Trust in the pension system 2019. Questionnaire survey on views on pensions (Julkari)
• Tenhunen et al. 2020. How familiar are Finns with pension issues and the 2017 pension reform in Finland? Questionnaire survey on views relating to pensions (Julkari)
• Liukko 2016. Mikä lisää ja mikä vähentää luottamusta eläketurvaan? [What contributes to and what reduces trust in the pension system?] (Julkari)
• Ahonen & Liukko 2016. Private saving for retirement – opportunity or necessity? (Julkari)
• Takala 2015. Trust in the pension security in 2011 and 2014 (Julkari)
• Tenhunen 2012. Preparing for Retirement – The Scope of Voluntary Saving (Julkari)
• Kahma & Takala 2012. Trust in pension security (Julkari)

The Pension Barometer is an annually conducted survey in which Finns’ opinions on pensions are monitored. The Pension Barometer explores the subjective experiences of the respondents regarding how well they know pensions and their income in retirement, how the pension system works and how its objectives are met. In addition, the Pension Barometer explores Finns’ perceived general trust in the pension system and its future.

Every other year the Pension Barometer examines Finns’ views on the principles of the pension system, such as its coverage, how contributions and pensions are linked to income (odd years) and views on alternative ways to strengthen the financing of the pension system (even years).

In addition to the annually repeated questions, the Pension Barometer includes questions on varying subjects. In 2020 and 2021, the survey focused on the impact of the corona pandemic on the trust in the pension system and the respondents’ income. The 2022 and 2023 surveys contained questions relating to the pension record, and the 2024 survey explored the citizens’ relationship to various pension information channels.

Each year, around 1,000 Finns aged 18 or older respond to the Pension Barometer. As of 2017, the annually conducted Pension Barometer is part of Kantar Media Finland Oy’s interview study conducted over the phone.

A report on the results of the Pension Barometer is published every year. It also includes comparisons with results from previous years. The reports are published in the Julkari publications archive.

Read more on Etk.fi:

• Pension Barometer 2024

Retirees’ livelihood and economic wellbeing is a survey that explores retirees’ perceptions of their economic situation. The questions concern, among other things, covering usual expenses and expenses for necessities, income problems, financial satisfaction, working in retirement and wellbeing in a broader sense. In addition to the recurring questions, the survey includes varying sections.

The survey, conducted by post and online, was carried out in 2017, 2020 and 2023. The respondents were randomly-selected-55–85-year-old recipients of an old-age or a disability pension. Some of the respondents have participated in all surveys.

Our aim with the surveys is to better recognize factors that affect pensioners’ perceptions of their livelihood and follow changes in these perceptions during retirement.

The most recent results will be published in the autumn of 2024.

The material is also utilised in the University of Helsinki’s project “Hoivan kustannukset” (care expenses), which looks at how old-age pensioners can afford care, health care and medical expenses and how their economic situation has changed relative to their health.

The data is processed in accordance with the GDPR. The answers of individual persons cannot be identified from the results.

Publications:

• Kuivalainen et al. (2022). Pensions and pensioners’ economic wellbeing – Development from 1995 to 2020 (Julkari)
• Liukko et al. (2022). Pensions and pensioners’ economic wellbeing – Development from 1995 to 2020 (Julkari)
• Palomäki et al. 2022. Longitudinal study of perceived economic welfare among Finnish old-age pensioners in 2017–2020 (Julkari)
• Palomäki et al. 2021. Pensioners’ perceived economic welfare in 2020 compared to in 2017 (Julkari)
• Ahonen et al. 2019. Studies on retirees’ perceived and overall economic well-being (Julkari)
• Polvinen et al. 2019. Explanations for economic difficulties among old-age pensioners previously on disability pension (Julkari)
• Ahonen et al. 2018. Pensioners’ perceived economic welfare in 2017 (Julkari)