Retirement

Pension Payouts of the Ten Largest Economies

Pension Payouts of the Ten Largest Economies

Publicly financed retirement, or pension, benefits vary widely across the world. But as the U.S. and Europe consider fiscal austerity measures to address debt problems, some pension programs could be subject to change. To grasp what most recipients stand to lose, we’ve taken a look at the promised pension payouts of the ten largest economies in the world. (.) Our snapshot is based on a and Development, OECD, calculates pension wealth for 54 countries, adjusting for differences in retirement age
Photo: Darren Robb | Stone | Getty Images

Publicly financed retirement, or pension benefits, vary widely across the world. But as the U.S. and Europe consider fiscal austerity measures to address debt problems, some pension programs could be subject to change.

To grasp what most recipients stand to lose, we’ve taken a look at the promised pension payouts of the ten largest economies in the world. (International Monetary Fund rankings.)

Our snapshot is based on a new study from the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development, OECD, calculates pension wealth for 54 countries, adjusting for differences in retirement age, life expectancy, and average earnings.

Pension “wealth” is calculated as a multiple of average earnings. For example, the OECD average multiple across all member countries is seven. Thus, if the average earner takes home $40,000 per year, the pension wealth for that citizen, in one lump sum, would be $280,000. Countries with higher multiples have a greater pension wealth.

Whose retirees are being best looked-after by the state?

Click ahead to see how your pension plan stacks up against the world’s largest economies, starting with the U.S.

By Jennifer Leigh Parker
Posted 26 September 2011

United States

Average Payout: $253,890 men; $290,160 women Retirement Age: 65 Life Expectancy: 83.9 Public pension spending % of GDP: 6.0
Photo: Getty Images

Average Payout: $253,890 men;
$290,160 women
Retirement Age: 65
Life Expectancy: 83.9
Public pension spending % of GDP: 6.0

China

Average Payout: $66,360 men; $69,720 women Retirement Age: 60 for men, 55 for women white collar, 50 for women blue collar Life Expectancy: 80.7 Public pension spending % of GDP: 2 percent
Source: Cato Institute || Photo: Sam Diephuis | Getty Images

Average Payout: $66,360 men; $69,720 women
Retirement Age: 60 for men, 55 for women white collar, 50 for women blue collar
Life Expectancy: 80.7
Public pension spending % of GDP: 2 percent

Japan

Average Payout: $295,240 men; $358,160 women Retirement Age: 65 Life Expectancy: 85.7 Public pension spending % of GDP: 9.8 percent
Photo: Getty Images

Average Payout: $295,240 men; $358,160 women
Retirement Age: 65
Life Expectancy: 85.7
Public pension spending % of GDP: 9.8 percent

Germany

Average Payout: $465,850 men; $556,600 women Retirement Age: 65 Life Expectancy: 83.4 Public pension spending % of GDP: 10.7 percent
Photo: Getty Images

Average Payout: $465,850 men; $556,600 women
Retirement Age: 65
Life Expectancy: 83.4
Public pension spending % of GDP: 10.7 percent

France

Average Payout: $444,540 men; $506,680 women Retirement Age: 60 Life Expectancy: 84.9 Public pension spending % of GDP: 12.5 percent
Photo: Getty Images

Average Payout: $444,540 men; $506,680 women
Retirement Age: 60
Life Expectancy: 84.9
Public pension spending % of GDP: 12.5 percent

United Kingdom

Average Payout: $325,950 men; $381,300 women Retirement Age: 60 for women, 65 for men Life Expectancy: 83.2 Public pension spending % of GDP: 5.4 percent
Photo: Datacraft Co Ltd | Getty Images

Average Payout: $325,950 men; $381,300 women
Retirement Age: 60 for women, 65 for men
Life Expectancy: 83.2
Public pension spending % of GDP: 5.4 percent

Brazil

Average Payout: $199,800 men & women Retirement Age: 65 for men, 60 for women Life Expectancy: 82.5 Public pension spending % of GDP: 3 percent
Source: BBVA Research || Photo: Carolina | Getty Imgaes

Average Payout: $199,800 men & women
Retirement Age: 65 for men, 60 for women
Life Expectancy: 82.5
Public pension spending % of GDP: 3 percent

Italy

Average Payout: $408,100 men; $427,350 women Retirement Age: 65 for men, 60 for women Life Expectancy: 84.5 Public pension spending % of GDP: 14.1 percent
Photo: Getty Images

Average Payout: $408,100 men; $427,350 women
Retirement Age: 65 for men, 60 for women
Life Expectancy: 84.5
Public pension spending % of GDP: 14.1 percent

Canada

Average Payout: $325,620 men; $365,820 women Retirement Age: 65 Life Expectancy: 84.3 Public pension spending % of GDP: 4.2 percent
Photo: Getty Images

Average Payout: $325,620 men; $365,820 women
Retirement Age: 65
Life Expectancy: 84.3
Public pension spending % of GDP: 4.2 percent

India

Average Payout: $43,400 men; $45,500 women Retirement Age: 58 Life Expectancy: 78.7 Public pension spending % of GDP: 0.93 percent
Source: India.gov || Photo: Maremagnum | Photographer's Choice | Getty Images

Average Payout: $43,400 men; $45,500 women
Retirement Age: 58
Life Expectancy: 78.7
Public pension spending % of GDP: 0.93 percent