I posted a graphic earlier about pensions across the world. Yes, a lot of the pensions posted as being top on that list in terms of payout rank very low in other factors particularly sustainability.
It's very complex but at the heart of it is that people in poverty are not in a position to pay into pensions however they are the ones that are least likely to be affected by the lower level they are set at having been used to a limited income.
I've worked and paid into private pensions my whole life and am lucky that I've had the opportunity to do so. However the final salary type schemes I started on have been reduced in type and employer contributions rapidly over the last 10 or so years to the point where its hardly worth my while contributing anymore as there isn't time for it to grow very much and growth rates are so low.
Anyway, I'm not an expert and I don't know the answer but if we want to pay out more, the money needs to come from somewhere.
The message is is that it's important for DC to prioritise their pension when they are young. When you are elderly, there is virtually nothing you can do to change your economic situation. You can't just go and get a better paying job or extra work. What you have is what you have.