Do You Believe in Pensions?

Presents and discusses the ranking of national pension systems. Explains factors driving those rankings, per the work of the Mercer and the CFA Institute. Postulates a Protestant-Christian link and connects with Max Weber and his “work ethic” thesis. Introduces the Church of Scotland Scheme for Widows and Orphans of Ministers and Professors in the eighteenth century. Provides a brief overview of the entire book, the main thesis regarding the role of religious history in longevity risk pooling, and then a quick roadmap summary of the remaining 11 chapters. It concludes by offering sources for additional reading and references.