The US retirement system lags behind 29 countries in a 2025 global ranking, scoring 61.1 out of 100 due to adequacy and sustainability gaps.
The US retirement income system ranked 30th out of 52 countries in the 2025 Mercer CFA Institute Global Pension Index, scoring 61.1 out of 100. This places it behind nations like the Netherlands, Iceland, and Denmark, which topped the list with scores above 82.
The index evaluates systems based on adequacy, sustainability, and integrity. The US earned a C+ grade, reflecting challenges in delivering sufficient benefits and long-term viability despite its advanced financial markets. The report highlights inclusive access, strong governance, and safety nets as key drivers of higher-ranked systems.
Social Security remains a cornerstone of US retirement, with benefits tied to lifetime earnings, but the system’s overall performance trails peers with more comprehensive models.