Abstract:

Purpose of the article: Services of a general economic interest are a special category of services provided by private undertakings to perform tasks in public interest. These services can be identified as public transport, postal service, water management or social services. Within the concept of SGEI a proportionate restriction on the application of EU competition rules can be imposed to the benefit of those undertakings that are providing these services to that extent that is necessary to perform their task and that is proportionate to the threat that it cause to the market freedoms and competition. The way in which all modern democracies have structured also their pension system is under severe pressure. This is obviously due to an omnipresent problem: ageing. The number of pension beneficiaries is increasing at higher rate than the economically active population needed to fund the pension benefits. With regard to the situation in the EU Member States, one thing is clear: the challenges that confront Member States warrants a revision of the pension system.