The number of persons contributing to Moldova's social assistance system is decreasing. Today there is one employee for every two persons of retirement age, but if the current pace is maintained the ratio could be 1 to 6. Boris Gilca, UNFPA Assistant Representative, thinks that the situation can be improved with the reformation of the social security system. “It is important to realize that the reformation of the social security system implies not just the extension of the contribution period, but also a higher retirement age. In Moldova's case, this could be achieved by equaling the retirement age of women with that of men. This would be quite fair, given that the average life expectancy of women is much greater than that of men”, said Boris Gilca. Otherwise, the social assistance system won't be able to secure enough funds to provide pensions, and the Government will be faced with the problem of finding additional resources. “We recommend that these resources should stem from the state's own sources, from the proceeds of the country's economic activity, rather than from foreign loans. There cannot be a sustainable growth when pensions are paid from foreign loans”, said Gilca. “We need to develop a clear social message. The pension is not a gift. The pension is not an obligation. The pension is a responsibility we all have from the moment when we reach employment age. We are all part of this partnership of solidarity”. “When employable persons become more responsible and their contribution to the social assistance system becomes more solid, regular and over a longer period of time, they can hope for a decent pension in old age”. said Boris Gilca, of the UNFPA Moldova. The UN General Assembly has declared October 1 as the International Day of Older Persons.