[Torie]

I don't think pensions have much to do with sucking in the best and brigtest. And it's "affect." Affect = impact upon, and effect = result as a noun, or cause as a verb.

[Tumbleweed_Connection]

Since you are demonstrating clear reasoning as well as strong examples as to "the best and brigtest", I am sincerely impressed. Unless you address a point this is meaningless. Consider the welfare state and strain of the pension and medical costs of aging populations of European nations and justify the overwhelming opportunities of "the best and brigtest".