Online ISSN 2286-0266
Print ISSN 1223-0685
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Nicolas-Costinel NEGREA
Academia de Studii Economice din Bucureşti
This paper examines the negative impact of Romania’s welfare state on economic policy, arguing that it fosters dependency and distorts market signals. Pension systems – designed to ensure social security – now face increasing challenges due to demographic changes and structural inefficiencies. The article proposes a shift toward free market principles, advocating deregulation and privatization to stimulate economic growth and individual empowerment. It recommends decentralizing pension provision through voluntary, market-based mechanisms to ensure long-term sustainability and greater personal autonomy. Rejecting interventionist approaches is seen as key to overcoming the country’s economic difficulties.

ŒCONOMICA no. 3-4/2024
Keywords: interventionism, fiscal sustainability, demographic change, market distortions
JEL: H75, J32, P16
Challenges of the Contemporary Pension System. The Case of Romania