Only six national pension systems earned a 'B' grade on Mercer's 2011 global index, which was given to systems with "sound structure" and "room for improvement."

The best systems are in the Netherlands, Switzerland, Sweden, Australia, Canada and the UK.



Every other pension system was rated as unsound, jeopardizing the future of the elderly population. The U.S. earned a C grade, signifying "some major risks and/or shortcomings."