Letter: Goodbye workers, hello wealth?

Sir: Leslie A Pope (letter, 15 March) claims that the "burden" of pensions on the taxpayer is a myth that needs exploding. He argues that since pensions and benefits are on average much lower than wages for individuals, "those leaving the workforce reduce their demand on the GNP, leaving more available for others, not less".

By that logic, the best economic outcome would be for everyone to leave the work-force, leaving an enormous surplus. Unfortunately, no one has yet cracked the concept of a GNP without a work-force.

SIMON GRAY

Luxembourg