Rethinking Pensions: A New Way to Fund Our Future

If our pension system worked differently. Instead of today's pay-as-you-go (PAYG) method, what if pensions were funded by human capital investments? The PAYG system has a major flaw—it ignores who contributes to raising the next generation and even whether they do at all. This study suggests a new approach: a pension system that treats human capital like an investment. The core question here is: can we build a fair and sustainable pension system based on this idea? And how does it fit into the Diamond–Samuelson model? The researchers used logical analysis and theoretical mathematics to find the answer. The results? It's possible to create a pension system that isn't swayed by population changes, doesn't discourage having children, and stays self-sufficient no matter what. This new system could motivate people to have kids up to a socially optimal level, unlike traditional funded or PAYG systems. While this system is still theoretical, it has the potential to solve some big problems with current pension systems. It could also address the rising cost of educating future generations. Its practical implications are enormous.