GDP, a figure certain to rise as Italy's awkward demographics oflowbirth rate and increasing longevity push the scheme even further out of financial balance.
And not just in America: in Germany, where the long years oflowbirth rates will reduce the size of the pool over the coming decade, Kienbaum, the country's leading pay consultancy, recently set up a special unit to comb academe for youthful high-fliers.