This chapter assesses the impact of shorter, more fragmented careers on the pension entitlements from mandatory schemes taking into account all pension components including pension credits and other redistributive mechanisms in pension systems. The analysis focuses on delayed labour market entry and career interruptions related to childcare and unemployment.The analysis shows that with slightly more than a 1% drop in old-age pension for every year without a job on average, pension systems play a key role in offsetting the potential losses in retirement income due to delayed or interrupted employment. In the absence of any redistribution, the pension would fall by 2‑2.5% based on the economic assumptions used in the OECD model. Pension credits and other redistributive components of pension systems while not being able to fully offset the contribution gaps related to delayed or interrupted employment, are therefore effective instrument to boost earnings-related pensions. The effects vary widely across countries and depend on the periods covered, the pensionable earnings used during these periods, and the provision of other redistributive tools in pension systems.The results also highlight that pension systems are not typically designed to offset all kinds of income shocks which affect individual life courses. The increasing diversity of work paths requires a more comprehensive and integrated approach to the challenges faced by individuals through effective labour market, education, family and pension policies.