11 May 2013 8:53 PM:
Yes very off topic but you could be describing Canada here, it's no different, public workers get higher wages, shorter working hours better benefits, iron clad job security and of course a gold plated pension at 55.
On topic thanks so much for the EU link, had no idea, my wife worked for 7 years Germany than 7 years in Spain and now have returned to Germany where hopefully the company will buy here out at age 60 (10 years from now)
It should be noted that autonomo SS payments are for healthcare, unemployment benefits and pension. The pension it's self is basicly a defined benefit plan meaning pay this much and you'll get this, pay more and get more.
I have a friend who retired and paid the max for I think 15 years as autonomo and now gets 1300 a month times 14. She also worked in Canada many many years ago and gets a piddling 100 CDN a month.
Recently the Conservative Goverment gave Gen X (those following the baby boomers a nice kick in the nuts by raising the pension age to 67, I'm not affected but my wife is.
Thread:
GB versus Spanish Pensions
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