International Programs
International Update, April 2009
This monthly publication covers recent developments in foreign private and public pensions, social security, and retirement.
Social Security Programs Throughout the World: Asia and the Pacific, 2008
This report, which is part of a four-volume series, provides a cross-national comparison of the social security systems in 48 countries in Asia and the Pacific. It summarizes the five main social insurance programs in those countries: old-age, disability, and survivors; sickness and maternity; work injury; unemployment; and family allowances. The other regional volumes in the series focus on the social security systems of countries in Europe, Africa, and the Americas. Together, the reports provide important information for researchers and policymakers who are reviewing different ways of approaching social security challenges and adapting the systems to the evolving needs of individuals, households, and families.
International Update, March 2009
This monthly publication covers recent developments in foreign private and public pensions, social security, and retirement.
International Update, February 2009
This monthly publication covers recent developments in foreign private and public pensions, social security, and retirement.
International Update, January 2009
This monthly publication covers recent developments in foreign private and public pensions, social security, and retirement.
International Update, December 2008
This monthly publication covers recent developments in foreign private and public pensions, social security, and retirement.
International Update, November 2008
This monthly publication covers recent developments in foreign private and public pensions, social security, and retirement.
Chile's Next Generation Pension Reform
Since its inception in 1981, Chile's system of mandatory individual retirement accounts has become a model for pension reformers around the world. A March 2008 comprehensive pension reform law made major changes that address some key policy challenges including worker coverage, gender equity, pension adequacy, and administrative fees. The cornerstone of the new law sets up a basic universal pension as a supplement to the individual accounts system.
International Update, October 2008
This monthly publication covers recent developments in foreign private and public pensions, social security, and retirement.
Social Security Programs Throughout the World: Europe, 2008
This report, which is part of a four-volume series, provides a cross-national comparison of the social security systems in 44 countries in Europe. It summarizes the five main social insurance programs in those countries: old-age, disability, and survivors; sickness and maternity; work injury; unemployment; and family allowances. The other regional volumes in the series focus on the social security systems of countries in Asia and the Pacific, Africa, and the Americas. Together, the reports provide important information for researchers and policymakers who are reviewing different ways of approaching social security challenges and adapting the systems to the evolving needs of individuals, households, and families.
International Update, September 2008
This monthly publication covers recent developments in foreign private and public pensions, social security, and retirement.
International Update, August 2008
This monthly publication covers recent developments in foreign private and public pensions, social security, and retirement.
International Update, July 2008
This monthly publication covers recent developments in foreign private and public pensions, social security, and retirement.
International Update, June 2008
This monthly publication covers recent developments in foreign private and public pensions, social security, and retirement.
KiwiSaver: New Zealand's New Subsidized Retirement Savings Plans
On July 1, 2007, New Zealand introduced KiwiSaver, a new subsidized retirement savings plan. All new entrants to the labor force and anyone starting a new job are automatically enrolled in a plan and may opt out if they wish. Anyone younger than age 65, including the self-employed and anyone not in the labor force, may choose to set up a KiwiSaver account. The government provides tax credits for both employer and account holder contributions, a one-time tax-free payment to each account, and an annual fee subsidy to defray administrative costs.
International Update, May 2008
This monthly publication covers recent developments in foreign private and public pensions, social security, and retirement.
International Update, April 2008
This monthly publication covers recent developments in foreign private and public pensions, social security, and retirement.
Social Security Programs Throughout the World: The Americas, 2007
This report, which is part of a four-volume series, provides a cross-national comparison of the social security systems in 36 countries in the Americas. It summarizes the five main social insurance programs in those countries: old-age, disability, and survivors; sickness and maternity; work injury; unemployment; and family allowances. The other regional volumes in the series focus on the social security systems of countries in Europe, Asia and the Pacific, and Africa. Together, the reports provide important information for researchers and policymakers who are reviewing different ways of approaching social security challenges and adapting the systems to the evolving needs of individuals, households, and families.
International Update, March 2008
This monthly publication covers recent developments in foreign private and public pensions, social security, and retirement.
International Update, February 2008
This monthly publication covers recent developments in foreign private and public pensions, social security, and retirement.
International Update, January 2008
This monthly publication covers recent developments in foreign private and public pensions, social security, and retirement.
International Update, December 2007
This monthly publication covers recent developments in foreign private and public pensions, social security, and retirement.
International Update, November 2007
This monthly publication covers recent developments in foreign private and public pensions, social security, and retirement.
International Update, October 2007
This monthly publication covers recent developments in foreign private and public pensions, social security, and retirement.
International Update, September 2007
This monthly publication covers recent developments in foreign private and public pensions, social security, and retirement.
Social Security Programs Throughout the World: Africa, 2007
This report, which is part of a four-volume series, provides a cross-national comparison of the social security systems in 44 countries in Africa. It summarizes the five main social insurance programs in those countries: old-age, disability, and survivors; sickness and maternity; work injury; unemployment; and family allowances. The other regional volumes in the series focus on the social security systems of countries in Europe, Asia and the Pacific, and the Americas. Together, the reports provide important information for researchers and policymakers who are reviewing different ways of approaching social security challenges and adapting the systems to the evolving needs of individuals, households, and families.
International Update, August 2007
This monthly publication covers recent developments in foreign private and public pensions, social security, and retirement.
International Update, July 2007
This monthly publication covers recent developments in foreign private and public pensions, social security, and retirement.
International Update, June 2007
This monthly publication covers recent developments in foreign private and public pensions, social security, and retirement.
International Update, May 2007
This monthly publication covers recent developments in foreign private and public pensions, social security, and retirement.
International Update, April 2007
This monthly publication covers recent developments in foreign private and public pensions, social security, and retirement.
Social Security Programs Throughout the World: Asia and the Pacific, 2006
This report, which is part of a four-volume series, provides a cross-national comparison of the social security systems in 48 countries in Asia and the Pacific. It summarizes the five main social insurance programs in those countries: old-age, disability, and survivors; sickness and maternity; work injury; unemployment; and family allowances. The other regional volumes in the series focus on the social security systems of countries in Europe, Africa, and the Americas. Together, the reports provide important information for researchers and policymakers who are reviewing different ways of approaching social security challenges and adapting the systems to the evolving needs of individuals, households, and families.
International Update, March 2007
This monthly publication covers recent developments in foreign private and public pensions, social security, and retirement.
International Update, February 2007
This monthly publication covers recent developments in foreign private and public pensions, social security, and retirement.
International Update, January 2007
This monthly publication covers recent developments in foreign private and public pensions, social security, and retirement.
International Update, December 2006
This monthly publication covers recent developments in foreign private and public pensions, social security, and retirement.
International Update, November 2006
This monthly publication covers recent developments in foreign private and public pensions, social security, and retirement.
International Update, October 2006
This monthly publication covers recent developments in foreign private and public pensions, social security, and retirement.
International Update, September 2006
This monthly publication covers recent developments in foreign private and public pensions, social security, and retirement.
Social Security Programs Throughout the World: Europe, 2006
This report, which is part of a four-volume series, provides a cross-national comparison of the social security systems in 44 countries in Europe. It summarizes the five main social insurance programs in those countries: old-age, disability, and survivors; sickness and maternity; work injury; unemployment; and family allowances. The other regional volumes in the series focus on the social security systems of countries in Asia and the Pacific, Africa, and the Americas. Together, the reports provide important information for researchers and policymakers who are reviewing different ways of approaching social security challenges and adapting the systems to the evolving needs of individuals, households, and families.
International Update, August 2006
This monthly publication covers recent developments in foreign private and public pensions, social security, and retirement.
International Update, July 2006
This monthly publication covers recent developments in foreign private and public pensions, social security, and retirement.
International Update, June 2006
This monthly publication covers recent developments in foreign private and public pensions, social security, and retirement.
International Update, May 2006
This monthly publication covers recent developments in foreign private and public pensions, social security, and retirement.
International Update, April 2006
This monthly publication covers recent developments in foreign private and public pensions, social security, and retirement.
International Update, March 2006
This monthly publication covers recent developments in foreign private and public pensions, social security, and retirement.
Social Security Programs Throughout the World: The Americas, 2005
These reports, which provide a cross-national comparison of the social security systems in more than 170 countries, summarize the five main social insurance programs in those countries: old-age, disability, and survivors; sickness and maternity; work injury; unemployment; and family allowances. They are published in four regional volumes (Europe, Asia and the Pacific, Africa, and the Americas), one every 6 months. Together, the reports provide important information for researchers and policymakers who are reviewing different ways of approaching social security challenges and adapting the systems to the evolving needs of individuals, households, and families.
International Update, February 2006
This monthly publication covers recent developments in foreign private and public pensions, social security, and retirement.
International Update, January 2006
This monthly publication covers recent developments in foreign private and public pensions, social security, and retirement.
International Update, December 2005
This monthly publication covers recent developments in foreign private and public pensions, social security, and retirement.
International Update, November 2005
This monthly publication covers recent developments in foreign private and public pensions, social security, and retirement.
International Update, October 2005
This monthly publication covers recent developments in foreign private and public pensions, social security, and retirement.
Social Security Programs Throughout the World: Africa, 2005
This report, which is part of a four-volume series, provides a cross-national comparison of the social security systems in 44 countries in Africa. It summarizes the five main social insurance programs in those countries: old-age, disability, and survivors; sickness and maternity; work injury; unemployment; and family allowances. The other regional volumes in the series focus on the social security systems of countries in Europe, Asia and the Pacific, and the Americas. Together, the reports provide important information for researchers and policymakers who are reviewing different ways of approaching social security challenges and adapting the systems to the evolving needs of individuals, households, and families.
International Update, September 2005
This monthly publication covers recent developments in foreign private and public pensions, social security, and retirement.
International Update, August 2005
This monthly publication covers recent developments in foreign private and public pensions, social security, and retirement.
International Update, July 2005
This monthly publication covers recent developments in foreign private and public pensions, social security, and retirement.
International Update, June 2005
This monthly publication covers recent developments in foreign private and public pensions, social security, and retirement.
International Update, May 2005
This monthly publication covers recent developments in foreign private and public pensions, social security, and retirement.
International Update, April 2005
This monthly publication covers recent developments in foreign private and public pensions, social security, and retirement.
International Update, March 2005
This monthly publication covers recent developments in foreign private and public pensions, social security, and retirement.
Social Security Programs Throughout the World: Asia and the Pacific, 2004
This report, which is part of a four-volume series, provides a cross-national comparison of the social security systems in 48 countries in Asia and the Pacific. It summarizes the five main social insurance programs in those countries: old-age, disability, and survivors; sickness and maternity; work injury; unemployment; and family allowances. The other regional volumes in the series focus on the social security systems of countries in Europe, Africa, and the Americas. Together, the reports provide important information for researchers and policymakers who are reviewing different ways of approaching social security challenges and adapting the systems to the evolving needs of individuals, households, and families.
International Update, February 2005
This monthly publication covers recent developments in foreign private and public pensions, social security, and retirement.
International Update, January 2005
This monthly publication covers recent developments in foreign private and public pensions, social security, and retirement.
International Update, December 2004
This monthly publication covers recent developments in foreign private and public pensions, social security, and retirement.
International Update, November 2004
This monthly publication covers recent developments in foreign private and public pensions, social security, and retirement.
International Update, October 2004
This monthly publication covers recent developments in foreign private and public pensions, social security, and retirement.
Social Security Programs Throughout the World: Europe, 2004
This report, which is part of a four-volume series, provides a cross-national comparison of the social security systems in 44 countries in Europe. It summarizes the five main social insurance programs in those countries: old-age, disability, and survivors; sickness and maternity; work injury; unemployment; and family allowances. The other regional volumes in the series focus on the social security systems of countries in Asia and the Pacific, Africa, and the Americas. Together, the reports provide important information for researchers and policymakers who are reviewing different ways of approaching social security challenges and adapting the systems to the evolving needs of individuals, households, and families.
International Update, September 2004
This monthly publication covers recent developments in foreign private and public pensions, social security, and retirement.
International Update, August 2004
This monthly publication covers recent developments in foreign private and public pensions, social security, and retirement.
International Update, July 2004
This monthly publication covers recent developments in foreign private and public pensions, social security, and retirement.
International Update, June 2004
This monthly publication covers recent developments in foreign private and public pensions, social security, and retirement.
International Update, May 2004
This monthly publication covers recent developments in foreign private and public pensions, social security, and retirement.
International Update, April 2004
This monthly publication covers recent developments in foreign private and public pensions, social security, and retirement.
Social Security Programs Throughout the World: The Americas, 2003
This report, which is part of a four-volume series, provides a cross-national comparison of the social security systems in 36 countries in the Americas. It summarizes the five main social insurance programs in those countries: old-age, disability, and survivors; sickness and maternity; work injury; unemployment; and family allowances. The other regional volumes in the series focus on the social security systems of countries in Europe, Asia and the Pacific, and Africa. Together, the reports provide important information for researchers and policymakers who are reviewing different ways of approaching social security challenges and adapting the systems to the evolving needs of individuals, households, and families.
International Update, March 2004
This monthly publication covers recent developments in foreign private and public pensions, social security, and retirement.
International Update, February 2004
This monthly publication covers recent developments in foreign private and public pensions, social security, and retirement.
International Update, January 2004
This monthly publication covers recent developments in foreign private and public pensions, social security, and retirement.
International Update, December 2003
This monthly publication covers recent developments in foreign private and public pensions, social security, and retirement.
International Update, November 2003
This monthly publication covers recent developments in foreign private and public pensions, social security, and retirement.
International Update, October 2003
This monthly publication covers recent developments in foreign private and public pensions, social security, and retirement.
Social Security Programs Throughout the World: Africa, 2003
This report, which is part of a four-volume series, provides a cross-national comparison of the social security systems in 44 countries in Africa. It summarizes the five main social insurance programs in those countries: old-age, disability, and survivors; sickness and maternity; work injury; unemployment; and family allowances. The other regional volumes in the series focus on the social security systems of countries in Europe, Asia and the Pacific, and the Americas. Together, the reports provide important information for researchers and policymakers who are reviewing different ways of approaching social security challenges and adapting the systems to the evolving needs of individuals, households, and families.
Social Security Reform in Central and Eastern Europe: Variations on a Latin American Theme
The Latin American model of social security reform with individual accounts has been adopted by a number of Central and Eastern European countries. That alternative to a pay-as-you-go system is sometimes advocated as a desirable model for solving problems in developed systems such as that of the United States. This article describes the Central and Eastern European systems and compares them with the Latin American systems.
Recent Changes to the Chilean System of Individual Accounts
Chile was the first country to replace its public pay-as you-go system with individual accounts. Since its inception in 1981, the new program has undergone a number of changes that offer workers more choices than they had before. This note describes those changes, which include an increase in the type and number of funds from which a worker may choose for an individual account, more incentives for making additional voluntary contributions, and the introduction of a separate mandatory individual account for unemployment benefits.
Social Security Programs Throughout the World: Asia and the Pacific, 2002
This report, which is part of a four-volume series, provides a cross-national comparison of the social security systems in 50 countries in Asia and the Pacific. It summarizes the five main social insurance programs in those countries: old-age, disability, and survivors; sickness and maternity; work injury; unemployment; and family allowances. The other regional volumes in the series focus on the social security systems of countries in Europe, Africa, and the Americas. Together, the reports provide important information for researchers and policymakers who are reviewing different ways of approaching social security challenges and adapting the systems to the evolving needs of individuals, households, and families.
Social Security Programs Throughout the World: Europe, 2002
This report, which is part of a four-volume series, provides a cross-national comparison of the social security systems in 44 countries in Europe. It summarizes the five main social insurance programs in those countries: old-age, disability, and survivors; sickness and maternity; work injury; unemployment; and family allowances. The other regional volumes in the series focus on the social security systems of countries in Asia and the Pacific, Africa, and the Americas. Together, the reports provide important information for researchers and policymakers who are reviewing different ways of approaching social security challenges and adapting the systems to the evolving needs of individuals, households, and families.
The Canada Pension Plan's Experience with Investing Its Portfolio in Equities
This article examines the experience of the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) in investing its surplus funds in equities. The CPP investment policy is viewed by some experts as a possible model for increasing the investment income of Social Security. The article discusses the key features of this policy, its implementation, and results to date.
Social Security Privatization in Latin America
The new, partially privatized social security system adopted by Chile in 1981 has since been implemented, with some variations, in a number of Latin American and old-world transition economies with either a single- or multi-tier system. That alternative to a pay-as-you-go system is sometimes advocated as a desirable model for solving problems in developed systems, such as that of the United States. This article describes the new programs in Latin America, their background, and similarities and differences among them.
Improving Return-to-Work Strategies in the United States Disability Programs, with Analysis of Program Practices in Germany and Sweden
This article examines suggestions by the General Accounting Office (GAO) to improve the rate of rehabilitation of workers on the disability rolls. It examines GAO's suggestions within the context of research by experts on return-to-work practices in Germany, Sweden, and the United States. It also discusses lessons learned from the European experiences and current and past return-to-work initiatives used in the Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income programs.
Retirement Income Security in the United Kingdom
This article examines the U.K. retirement income security system from the American perspective. It addresses issues that most concern U.S. analysts: how the United Kingdom has kept its future public pension costs at a manageable level, the extent to which privatization of public pensions has contributed to low pensions costs, the popular appeal of individual pension accounts, and the impact of privatization on retirement income. These issues are best understood in the context of the U.K. pension program's particular institutional structure and policies, two of which—"contracting out" of public pensions, and strong reliance on means-tested benefits—have been largely rejected in the evolution of U.S. policy to date.
Particular use is made of recently available data on coverage rates for public and private pension programs over the total working population and administrative records on inactive personal pension accounts.
Retirement Income Security in the United Kingdom
This study examines the United Kingdom's retirement income security system from the American perspective. It addresses issues that most concern U.S. analysts: how the United Kingdom has kept its future public pension costs at a manageable level, the extent to which privatization of public pensions has contributed to these savings, the popular appeal of individual pension accounts, and the impact of privatization on retirement income. These issues are best understood in the context of the U.K. pension program's particular institutional structure and policies, two of which—"contracting out" of public pensions and strong reliance on means-tested benefits—have been largely rejected in the evolution of U.S. policy to date.
Particular use is made of recently available data on coverage rates for public and private pension programs over the total working population and administrative records on inactive personal pension accounts.
Family Income, Age, and Size of Unit: Selected International Comparisons
This exploratory paper examines the role of age in the distribution of family income in several countries. Unlike most papers that compare the distribution of income across countries, the primary concern in this paper is not with comparisons of the overall degree of inequality. Instead we are more interested in two aspects of the cross-section relationship between age and income. First, we are interested in the relative economic well-being of income recipient units in different age (of head) groups in several developed countries. In the U.S. in recent years, in connection with modifications to the social security system, there has been considerable discussion of the "fair" level of income of the aged population. That discussion has led us to a particular interest in the relative economic well-being of the aged population in other developed countries. Where the data allow, the aged (age 65 and over) group is split into 65–69 and 70 and over age groups as at least partial recognition that economic well-being can differ markedly among subgroups of the aged population. (Other important characteristics such as labor force participation, sex, and the receipt of government retirement income could not be examined.) This paper attempts an initial look at the very complex subject of the relative economic well-being of different age groups in several countries.
