Economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on pensioners' perception in connection with the possibility of meeting their existential needs

Abstract

The COVID-19 virus pandemic has caused a state of global economic uncertainty. This problem affects not only employees, but also the population of pensioners. The stability of pension systems in many regions of the world is threatened by a pandemic. Such a situation causes a feeling of uncertainty and fear among pensioners. Due to possible reductions in the amount of pensions, they become unsure whether they will be able to meet their basic living needs. All this is reflected in the perception of pensioners regarding their inability to pay bills for electricity, water, heating, medicines, or food in the coming period. Although this problem is expressed in a large part of the human population, this is the first paper in the world to consider this problem. In order to investigate this problem, a questionnaire was formed, which refers to the assessment of the level of concern (fear) of pensioners in terms of meeting basic subsistence needs in the pandemic. The research was conducted on a sample of pensioners from Serbia. The analysis of the research results indicates the segments that are of particular concern to retirees, as well as that additional attention should be paid to this problem on a global scale.