The American pension system always seemed good compared to the UK one. My Grandad was American but mostly paid into the UK system. He had full UK contributions but the few years he worked in USA before leaving and his army years meant that both my granddad and Grandma got more pension from the USA system than the UK one. My gran had to jump through a lot of hoops to get or keep what she was entitled to when my granddad died though.
Thing is though, we have other benefits that though not 'pension' all add up. Doctor, Dentist, Podiatrist, Physiotherapy, Free bus pass and prescriptions (here anyway) pretty much free gym and swimming pools too, govt grants for home insulation, double glazing and central heating, etc.,