On July 27, 2001, representatives of nine European Union countries and the European Commission discussed social security and pension reform at an Urban Institute conference hosted by the German Embassy. This brief, drawing on the conference papers and discussion, provides an overview of pensions in the European Union and summarizes the nine participating countries' pension systems, including recent reforms. The summaries should serve as a useful resource to policymakers and the public as the United States wrestles with options for reforming Social Security.