A recent survey conducted by Ilmarinen, a Finnish pension insurance company, has revealed concerning insights into the perceptions of pensioners in Finland. Nearly three-quarters of those surveyed feel that seniors are seen as a burden in society, with more than half expressing that aging is viewed negatively. The results, based on responses from 1,404 pensioners between February and March, highlight that under-75 private sector retirees resonate strongly with these sentiments. In terms of personal security, only 46% feel relatively or very secure about their aging, while a third remain neutral and a fifth find it scary.

Furthermore, the survey indicated that a significant portion of respondents, specifically 72%, believe that society does not adequately take into account the needs of the elderly. Two-thirds of those surveyed feel that older individuals do not receive the necessary social and health services. The data paints a troubling picture of the expectations that pensioners hold for the next decade, suggesting that many do not foresee an improvement in their situation. Only a small number expressed faith that their circumstances would get better, raising important questions about societal attitudes and the policy-making that affects older citizens in Finland.