Back in 2021, a group of nine European associations launched the European Retirement Week. Especially in demographically and economically challenging times, achieving pension adequacy is indeed crucial to address Europe’s pensions savings gap and to achieve an economy that works for all. This requires, first and foremost, increased public awareness of the importance of long-term savings and returns to maintain the standard of living during retirement. The participating associations therefore aimed at establishing the European Retirement Week as a well-known and recurring event in the European calendar. Traditionally the European Retirement Week takes place each year in the last week of November, providing a platform for a wide range of stakeholders to discuss solutions in order to tackle the demographic challenge and to ensure sustainability of pension systems.

This year it will take place from 24-28 November 2025 bringing together EU institutions, civil society and industry. The initiative, currently supported by 14 associations, is now a key moment in the policy calendar and raises awareness of the importance of retirement savings and ensuring pension adequacy for all by means of a several discussions, events and exchanges. (European Retirement Week – European Retirement Week)

The insurance sector is a central pillar in delivering sustainable, adequate and trusted retirement solutions and long-term investment across Europe. This already contributes largely to retirement resilience and to long-term leadership in EU pension policy. Insurance Europe was among the initiators and has actively participated annually since its launch.

The VVO engages both at national and European level, to help promote awareness raising of pension gaps and how to overcome them.