Search results for ‘Subject term:"older people"’ Sort:
Results 1 - 8 of 8
Constructing the public-private divide: historical perspectives and the politics of pension reform
- Author:
- WHITESIDE Noel
- Publisher:
- University of Oxford. Institute of Ageing
- Publication year:
- 2002
- Pagination:
- 24p.,bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- Oxford
In contrast to many European countries, UK pension policy has long sought to preserve private pension provision, initially through the promotion of occupational pension schemes and more recently with the development of state-sponsored personal pensions. This paper examines the record theoretically, historically and comparatively. It argues first, that arguments favouring public choice as the basis for old age income security are inherently flawed because they fail to recognise the role played by convention and law in sustaining and developing common knowledge and confidence – the essential bases for economic action on which individual choice relies. As conventions of market activity vary by place, by product and over time, there is a constant need to define and refine their public legitimacy, without which the collective confidence necessary for economic action disappears. Second, the paper offers an historical account of how public-private pension ‘partnerships’ were first established in the UK in the 1960s. Contrary to what we might expect, Old Labour was more conscious of the importance of preserving established conventions governing occupational and private provision than their New Labour successors have been. Recent extensions in regulatory surveillance expose the contradictions that result when governments attempt to extend market solutions as a substitute for public services. Finally, contrasting UK experience of earnings-related schemes with their European counterparts, the paper shows how different conventions have shaped different roles for the state in earnings-related pension provision, resulting in varied typologies of public-private mix. Under recent demographic and fiscal pressure, previous divisions between public and private have become increasingly complex as governments move to regulate personal pension savings as a necessary supplement to statutory schemes. However, in contrast to careful collective negotiation found elsewhere, changing conventions imposed by recent British governments have shattered public confidence and provoked inaction. Future pensioner poverty appears very likely unless politicians first accept that private provision will never replace public pensions and (secondly) are prepared to negotiate a settlement that promotes collective confidence among all agencies and the whole population.
Is there a Dutch way to pension reform?:
- Authors:
- RIEL Bart van, HENERIJCK Anton, VISSER Jelle
- Publisher:
- University of Oxford. Institute of Ageing
- Publication year:
- 2002
- Pagination:
- 32p.,bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- Oxford
In this paper the authors try to answer three related questions. First, what explains the lack of (parametric) pension reform in the Netherlands in recent years? Second, in the absence of significant pension reforms, what other avenues have Dutch policy makers pursued with regard to the robustness of the Dutch pension system in the face of ageing? Third, in conclusion, does the overall Dutch policy response really suffice in view of important labour market and demographic changes in the 21st century? While there may be no evident need to recast the design of the Dutch pension system, the authors do conjecture that Dutch pensions, because of their high aspiration levels, may come under increasing financial strain in the not too distant future.
A pension system in transition: private pensions as partial substitute to public pensions in Germany?
- Author:
- SCHMAEHL Winfried
- Publisher:
- University of Oxford. Oxford Institute of Ageing
- Publication year:
- 2002
- Pagination:
- 57p.,bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- Oxford
This paper discusses a new strategy in German pension policy implemented in 2001 and looks at the main instruments and effects. The reform measures are based on a paradigm shift in pension policy, which will change the structure of the German pension scheme. Partial substitution of public pensions by subsidized private and occupational pensions is a core element. The paper outlines the structure of the pension scheme prior to the reform measures and the main objectives for the existing rules. Major arguments framing the public pension debate in Germany and important actors in the pension arena are identified. The instruments for reducing public pension expenditure (especially a new formula for adjusting benefits) as well as the subsidies to stimulate private and occupational pension arrangements are discussed. Employees are now confronted with complex and complicated decisions because of a great variety of possibilities of saving in subsidized forms. There is some doubt whether this will increase saving. The paper also focuses on a number of questions regarding income distribution related to the new strategy of partial substitution of public by private pensions as well as on the future development of the German pension scheme and on conflicts that may result from this strategy.
The effect of financial incentives and access to services on self-funded admissions to long-term care
- Authors:
- NETTEN Ann, DARTON Robin
- Journal article citation:
- Social Policy and Administration, 37(5), October 2003, pp.483-497.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
With the growth in the numbers and proportion of older people in the population the funding and incentive structures around long-term care are of international concern. A study of the circumstances of self-funded admissions to care homes allowed the comparison of self-funders with publicly funded admissions to care homes in the UK, the influences on self-funders in their decision to move into a care home and resources on which they were able to draw. These findings contribute to our understanding of the impact of current policy on self-funders and our thinking about the way that future policy and practice changes could improve the way we use society's resources in the provision of long-term care.
The changing role of social care
- Editor:
- HUDSON Bob
- Publisher:
- Jessica Kingsley
- Publication year:
- 2000
- Pagination:
- 255p.,bibliogs.
- Place of publication:
- London
Collection of paper focusing on the organisational and cultural changes that local authority social services have undergone since the NHS and Community Care Act 1990. Contains chapters on: new approaches to local governance; changes in the statutory sector; changes in the private sector; the voluntary sector and social care for older people; human resources in social care; the changing role of users and carers; social care and housing; social care and social security; the changing balance of direction versus discretion in social care; UK variations; towards a comparative approach to the study of social care; and a blueprint for the new Millennium.
Gerontology: responding to an ageing society
- Editor:
- MORGAN Kevin
- Publisher:
- Jessica Kingsley/British Society of Gerontology
- Publication year:
- 1992
- Pagination:
- 253p.,bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- London
Aims to provide a representative overview of how contemporary gerontological research is identifying and responding to the issues facing our ageing society, with an emphasis in each chapter on need. Also examines the range of approaches, methodologies and controversies within that response. Includes chapters on: literacy and older adults; health and ageing within ethnic minorities; gender and non-state pensions; groupwork and professional attitudes to old age; the geography of private residential care; policy development at grassroots level; a psychosocial model of dementia; nutrition; the Gloucester study of caring for elderly people at home; and resources, needs and outcomes in community services.
The coming of age: improving care services for older people
- Author:
- AUDIT COMMISSION
- Publisher:
- Audit Commission
- Publication year:
- 1997
- Pagination:
- 90p.,diags.,bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- London
Report looking at how services for older people can be improved via closer collaboration between the NHS and social services and between independent sector service providers and social services. Case studies illustrate how agencies can work together more effectively and provide a better mix of services for older people that emphasises prevention and rehabilitation. Aimed at purchasers, providers, managers, chief executives, social services directors, and policy makers.
Social services: achievement and challenge; presented to Parliament by the Secretary of State for Health by Command of Her Majesty, March 1997
- Authors:
- GREAT BRITAIN. Department of Health, GREAT BRITAIN. Welsh Office
- Publisher:
- Stationery Office
- Publication year:
- 1997
- Pagination:
- 39p.
- Place of publication:
- London
Government White Paper on the future of social services.