In its 2015 report on pensions, approved by the council of ministers for employment and social policy, the commission cites as one of its main conclusions that "EU pensions regimes are capable of guaranteeing adequate pensions also to future generations of retirees, so long as member states apply strong policies that make it possible for the largest possible number of workers to remain in activity until they reach the legal age of retirement."


The report notes a series of reforms implemented by member states in recent years to reform their pensions systems to cope with ageing populations. It listed Portugal as among countries that have "followed closely" the commission's recommendations, such as restricting access to early retirement, increasing the retirement age, and linking this to increases in life expectancy.


The commission notes that in 2012, only about one half of all retirements in the EU occurred because the people in question had reached the statutory age; the others took place early for reasons of health, unemployment or care responsibilities.