CESI Seniors meet to debate EU intergenerational polices

The CESI Seniors brought together representatives of CESI member organisations to discuss intergenerational fairness, long-term care and pensions. Led by President Horst Günther Klitzing from CESI's German member union dbb, the German Civil Service Federation, the meeting examined how EU policies can support solidarity between generations while addressing the specific needs of older people.

A central item was the debate on a draft resolution responding to the European Commission’s Strategy on Intergenerational Fairness, adopted in March 2026. The strategy seeks to strengthen long-term thinking in policymaking and improve the sharing of opportunities and responsibilities across generations.

The draft resolution supports these objectives but considers that the strategy gives greater attention to younger and future generations than to people in later stages of life. It calls for an approach covering the whole life course, recognising older people’s contributions through employment, volunteering, family support and participation in public life.

For older workers, the draft identifies age discrimination, unequal access to training and difficulties remaining in safe and healthy employment as priorities. It calls for age-sensitive workplaces, lifelong learning and voluntary choices regarding longer working lives. Pension reforms should take account of health, working conditions and career histories, with social partners involved in their development, rather than relying on increases in statutory retirement ages alone.

Adequate pensions and accessible public services are further priorities. The draft calls for pension adequacy to be assessed alongside financial sustainability, investment in affordable, high-quality health and long-term care, and continued access to non-digital public and administrative services. It also proposes that the planned Intergenerational Fairness Index measure outcomes for older people, including old-age poverty, employment, access to care and digital exclusion.

The debate also addressed the participation of older people’s representative organisations and social partners in implementing the strategy. The draft calls for their structured involvement in its governance, monitoring and further development.

The resolution will be amended based on the discussions and be made available in the 'Views and positions' sections of CESI's website, once adopted.

The next meeting of the CESI Seniors will take place in 2026.

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