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Pension schemes in the EU member states: similarities and differences
- Author:
- DENMAN Moya
- Publisher:
- Eurolink Age
- Publication year:
- 2000
- Pagination:
- 32p.,tables.
- Place of publication:
- London
This guide gives a general description of the principal features of pension provision in the fifteen member states of the EU. It is intended to give the reader signposts in a complex field. Direct pension comparisons are difficult, with countries using different means to achieve national pension objectives. However, reforms recently introduced into Member states should produce effects in a few years time.
The impact of European union law on pensions in the UK: findings
- Author:
- JOSEPH ROWNTREE FOUNDATION
- Publisher:
- Joseph Rowntree Foundation
- Publication year:
- 1996
- Pagination:
- 4p.
- Place of publication:
- York
European Union (EU) activity in relation to occupational and state pensions is increasing. Much is directed towards creating the single market and avoiding distortions in competition. The possibility that this market-oriented activity has an adverse effect on the ability of pensions to provide adequate income is seldom addressed in the UK. This new study by the authors brings together the diverse strands of EU pension-related activity and finds it has had both beneficial and adverse effects an occupational and state pensions in the UK.
Perceived income adequacy among older adults in 12 countries: findings from the survey of health, ageing, and retirement in Europe
- Authors:
- LITWIN Howard, SAPIR Eliyahu V.
- Journal article citation:
- Gerontologist, 49(3), June 2009, pp.397-406.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
This study aimed to validate a survey research measure of subjective income, as measured by perceived income adequacy, in an international context. The study population comprised persons aged 50 years and older in 12 countries from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (n = 28,939). Perceived difficulty in making ends meet was regressed on sociodemographic variables, economic indicators, health status measures, and expectations regarding one's financial future. Country differences were also controlled. The findings confirm a multidimensional explanation of perceived income adequacy but also point to the primacy of objective economic indicators in predicting household financial distress. Respondents aged 80 years and older report less financial difficulty. Poor health status and pessimistic financial expectations also predict greater household financial distress but to a lesser degree. Self-rated economic status is a robust indicator of financial capacity in older age and can be used by practitioners to gain meaningful information. However, practitioners should keep in mind that the oldest-old may underestimate financial difficulties.
Socio-economic position and quality of life among older people in 10 European countries: results of the SHARE study
- Authors:
- VON DEM KNESEBECK Olaf, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Ageing and Society, 27(2), March 2007, pp.269-284.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
This study examines associations between quality of life and multiple indicators of socio-economic position among people aged 50 or more years in 10 European countries, and analyses whether the relative importance of the socio-economic measures vary by age. The countries studied were Austria, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland. The data are from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) in 2004. 15,080 cases were analysed. Quality of life was measured by a short version of the CASP-19 questionnaire, which represents quality of life as comprising four conceptual domains of individual needs that are particularly relevant in later life: control, autonomy, self-realisation and pleasure. The short version has 12 items (three for each domain). Five indicators of socio-economic position were used: income, education, home ownership, net worth, and car ownership. A multiple logistic regression showed that quality of life was associated with socio-economic position, but that the associations varied by country. Relatively small socio-economic differences in quality of life were observed for Switzerland, but comparatively large differences in Germany. Education, income, net worth, and car ownership consistently related to quality of life, but the association of home ownership was less consistent. There was no indication that the socio-economic differences in quality of life diminished after retirement (i.e. from 65+ years). Conventional measures of socio-economic position (education and income), as well as alternative indicators (car ownership and household net worth), usefully identified the differential risks of poor quality of life among older people before and after the conventional retirement age.
Cross-country performance in social integration of older migrants: a European perspective: working paper
- Authors:
- BERCHET Caroline, SIRVEN Nicolas
- Publisher:
- Institut de recherche et documentation en économie de la santé
- Publication year:
- 2012
- Pagination:
- 30p.
- Place of publication:
- Paris
This paper presents empirical evidence on the relationship between migration and social integration. Using SHARE data and macroeconomic series, it first analyses the influence of immigrant length of stay in the host country on social integration indicators. It then examines the role institutional characteristics play on cross-country differences in speed of social integration. Findings indicated that the immigrant population presents a lower likelihood than the native population to get involved in social activities and to trust other people. Nevertheless, the more immigrants have spent time in the host country, the more they take part in social activities. The analysis also reveals significant cross-country differences in immigrants’ speed of social integration. Macroeconomic series like the GINI coefficient of income inequality and the Corruption perceived index could explain these differences. From a public policy perspective, the results suggest that immigrants’ social integration is more rapidly achieved in “fair” countries, with a more favourable social environment, where the levels of income inequality and perceived corruption are lower.
Sustainability and adequacy of pensions in EU countries: a cross-national perspective
- Author:
- ZAIDI Asghar
- Publisher:
- European Centre for Social Welfare Policy and Research
- Publication year:
- 2010
- Pagination:
- 17p.
- Place of publication:
- Vienna
The impact of European Union (EU) national government economic and social policies on pension systems and pension income adequacy for future pensioners is examined in this paper. It begins by setting the context, highlighting sustainability challenges arising from population ageing and the financial, fiscal and economic crises. It analyses the impact of pension reforms, including benefit ratio changes (the likely development of the relative value of the average pension relative to the likely evolution of the average wage). It discusses how pension reforms have reshaped the structure of pension systems across EU countries and the adequacy of pension incomes of future retirees (including expected changes in the average first pension as a proportion of the average wage). It concludes by discussing policy challenges faced by EU countries in ensuring sustainability of pension systems and maintaining adequacy of pension incomes.
Mainstreaming ageing: indicators to monitor sustainable policies
- Editors:
- MARIN Bernd, ZAIDI Ashgar, (eds.)
- Publisher:
- Ashgate
- Publication year:
- 2007
- Pagination:
- 850p.
- Place of publication:
- Aldershot
The Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing (MIPAA), adopted at the Second World Assembly on Ageing, is the first international agreement that specifically recognises the potential of older people to contribute to the development of their societies. In monitoring its implementation two key approaches are evident: a qualitative bottom-up participatory approach and an approach that uses quantitative indicators to monitor sustainable progress and policies. With the European Centre for Social Welfare Policy and Research, playing a pivotal role in the monitoring of the implementation process, one of its key tasks has been to develop a list of 'indicators of achievement'. This book contains extended and revised versions of policy briefs and background papers that support the implementation monitoring process. The analyses included in these chapters make concrete suggestions towards quantitative indicators, with the aim of assisting national governments in mainstreaming ageing in their policies. The contributors provide an overview of the current situation with respect to population ageing and its consequences and also provide projections for the future. The book also includes the final list of quantitative indicators that arose out of consultations with international experts, related to the four main topics addressed: demography, income and wealth, labour market participation, and social protection and financial sustainability.
A comparative appraisal of the relationship of education, income and housing tenure with less than good health among the elderly in Europe
- Authors:
- DALSTRA J. A. A., KUNST A. E., MACKENBACH J. P.
- Journal article citation:
- Social Science and Medicine, 62(8), April 2006, pp.2046-2060.
- Publisher:
- Elsevier
The objective of this study was to determine the strength of various socio-economic indicators for predicting less than good health among elderly people aged 60–79 years. Data were obtained from national health surveys from 10 European countries. Education, income and housing tenure were examined in relation to less than good health using standardised prevalence rates and (multiple) logistic regression analyses. The results illustrated that there are substantial health differences among the elderly according to education and income in each country. Both education and income (with men) showed a strong independent relationship with health status. Health differences according to housing tenure were generally somewhat smaller. However, in Great Britain and the Netherlands housing tenure demonstrated large health differences, even after adjustment for education and income. It is recommended that more refined socio-economic measures are developed and that in the meantime both education and income are used when studying socio-economic health differences among the elderly. In some countries, like Great Britain and the Netherlands, however, housing tenure has an additional value.
Growing older in Europe
- Editor:
- WALKER Alan
- Publisher:
- Open University Press
- Publication year:
- 2005
- Pagination:
- 295p.,bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- Maidenhead
This book provides a European dimension, examining and comparing the quality of life as experienced by older people in Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden and the UK. Case studies by European authors consider quality of life indicators such as income, housing, employment, physical and mental health, and family and social support. Examples of good practice are provided from each region, and recommendations are made for future priorities. A comparative introduction by the editor draws out key similarities and differences between the countries studied and sets the context for the case studies.
Is there a trade-off between pensions and home ownership? : an exploration of the Irish case
- Author:
- FAHEY Tony
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of European Social Policy, 13(2), May 2003, pp.159-173.
- Publisher:
- Sage
It has been argued that, in countries with high levels of owner occupation of housing, home ownership can serve as a substitute for generous pensions for older people. Two possible linking mechanisms have been posited in this context, one focusing on budget constraints (high housing costs associated with home purchase makes the funding of generous pensions unaffordable), the other on needs or incentives (high home ownership gives older people material security and so makes generous pensions unnecessary). This article examines Ireland as a test case in this context. It finds no evidence that either of the posited linking mechanisms were present in Ireland. House purchase costs historically have been too low to constrain pension development, while the distributive benefits for the elderly have been too modest to obviate the need for higher pension income. However, other distributive effects emerge as important, particularly the positive historical consequences of inflation and low real interest rates for home purchasers of all ages and the implicit subsidy to home ownership provided by savers