If I squint my eyes, I don't think it would even reduce the burden on the state pension system when you take into account the benefit system it is part of.

Long-term disabled or ill people who are unable to work will effectively take early retirement (in some cases they can draw on their actual pension early too), and depend on state support from then on whether it's called pension or something else. The duration of payouts will be longer than for ordinary retirement age.

It's not just miserable for those survivors, it's expensive for the state.

Long-term health problems are also likely to cost more in healthcare later.