Against the background of the demographic development, the question is whether an old age income security system which is based on the pay-as-you-go principle is still in accordance with the principle of intergenerational solidarity. The article examines significant dimensions of a fair distribution of income between different generations and asks for the respective implications of the German pension reform 2001. The article finishes by concluding that even an old age income security system on a private basis which is based on the capital stock system cannot prevent future cohorts of younger generations from having a higher burden.