Governments in European countries are even more active in proving retirees with pensions. Forecasts have the Japanese population increasing to125 million by 2010 and then declining to 100 million by 2070. The Japanese economy might grind to a halt. Worldwide population declines could mean lower foreign demand, lower exports and higher prices for imports. An industrialized capitalist economy depends upon a growing population of consumers and workers and upon export markets.
Opposite trends are dangerous.
If the economy hits a wall, then proposed financing schemes, especially that of private investment, will not be valid solutions to social security funding. Rather than treating social security as an adjunct to America's economy, it would be preferable to integrate the needs of the retirement community into the needs of the entire society. In a responsible society, resources are shared and so are sacrifices.