It is said that National Pension Program in Japan is now on the verge of corruption.
I think there are two main causes to endanger Japanese Pension system.
First cause is the aging society. Japanese society is rapidly aging. When National Annuity Plan started at 1961, the rate of over 65 years old was less than 6%. In 1985, it grew to 10% and it was 19.5% at October 2004. Japanese pension system is that working people to support aged people; which means progression of aging society generates heavier burden on working generation. For example, in 1961, the insurance premium to employee's pension plan was 3.5% of the wages, in the contrary it is almost 14% in 2005, and it will be gradually increased to 18% by 2017. This is causing the feeling of unfairness to younger generation.
Japanese pension is index-linked pension. Which means the entitlement of pension will increase in inflation situation, but decrease in deflation situation. Japan is now in a long recession and index rate is decreasing. This suggests decreasing in entitlement while premium will increase in previous condition. This is causing the feeling of distrustfulness.
Thus, in conclusion, I would like to stress two main reasons, which are aging society and price indexation, to the cause of Japanese Pension System.