Corporate Document Services; Great Britain. Department for Work and Pensions
Publication year:
2006
Pagination:
42p.
Place of publication:
Leeds
Some of the key areas of the White Paper will deliver fairer pensions. The number of contributory years needed to accrue a full basic state pension will be cut to 30. Home Responsibilities Protection will be replaced with a new weekly credit; A new contributory credit will be introduced for those caring for severely disabled people for 20 hours a week or more. Minimum contribution conditions to the basic state pension will be abolished, so that those caring for children or the severely disabled will build entitlement to the Basic State Pension without having to build up a minimum level of work-based contributions. In 2010, 70 per cent of women reaching State Pension age will be entitled to the full basic State Pension, compared with 30 per cent now; by 2025, over 90 per cent of women and men reaching State Pension age will be entitled to the full basic State Pension - compared with 80 per cent without reform.
Some of the key areas of the White Paper will deliver fairer pensions. The number of contributory years needed to accrue a full basic state pension will be cut to 30. Home Responsibilities Protection will be replaced with a new weekly credit; A new contributory credit will be introduced for those caring for severely disabled people for 20 hours a week or more. Minimum contribution conditions to the basic state pension will be abolished, so that those caring for children or the severely disabled will build entitlement to the Basic State Pension without having to build up a minimum level of work-based contributions. In 2010, 70 per cent of women reaching State Pension age will be entitled to the full basic State Pension, compared with 30 per cent now; by 2025, over 90 per cent of women and men reaching State Pension age will be entitled to the full basic State Pension - compared with 80 per cent without reform.
Journal of Social Policy, 36(2), April 2007, pp.297-318.
Publisher:
Cambridge University Press
Place of publication:
Cambridge
This article contributes to the debate about retirement age and the extent to which occupational pensions influence the decision to retire. It uses the waves of Labour Force Survey (1984-91) and Quarterly Labour Force Survey (1992-2003) to review the changes in the actual average retirement age in the UK during the period 1984-2003 by gender and ethnicity. The article investigates the link
This article contributes to the debate about retirement age and the extent to which occupational pensions influence the decision to retire. It uses the waves of Labour Force Survey (1984-91) and Quarterly Labour Force Survey (1992-2003) to review the changes in the actual average retirement age in the UK during the period 1984-2003 by gender and ethnicity. The article investigates the link between occupational pension schemes and the actual retirement age of men and women. It explores the impact of pension type on employees' expected retirement age and the decision to take early retirement using the English Longitudinal Survey of Ageing (2002-03).
FRERICKS Patricia, MAIER Robert, de GRAAF Willibrord
Journal article citation:
Social Policy and Administration, 40(5), October 2006, pp.475-492.
Publisher:
Wiley
All European countries are aiming to reform their pension systems in line with two conceptual ideas: firstly, that systems should combine public, occupational and private pensions; secondly, that entitlements should be individualized. The Dutch and the Danish pension systems already consist of these three different pensions with relatively individualized entitlements and in a way form an ideal type of pension system. However, these systems are far from ideal since they are deeply gender biased. The positive effects of citizenship-based state pensions conceal the negative ones. In addition, recent developments in the combination of the pension schemes counteract the positive effects. Given the male-oriented norm when it comes to full pension entitlements, and given the fact that life
All European countries are aiming to reform their pension systems in line with two conceptual ideas: firstly, that systems should combine public, occupational and private pensions; secondly, that entitlements should be individualized. The Dutch and the Danish pension systems already consist of these three different pensions with relatively individualized entitlements and in a way form an ideal type of pension system. However, these systems are far from ideal since they are deeply gender biased. The positive effects of citizenship-based state pensions conceal the negative ones. In addition, recent developments in the combination of the pension schemes counteract the positive effects. Given the male-oriented norm when it comes to full pension entitlements, and given the fact that life courses are still gendered, these countries' systems and developments have negative effects for women.
Subject terms:
pensions, policy formulation, social policy, comparative studies, gender;
Journal of European Social Policy, 8(3), August 1998, pp.195-211.
Publisher:
Sage
Discusses how the German welfare state supports the traditional division of labour and low female labour force participation. Argues that due to diminishing political support this model is eroding.
Discusses how the German welfare state supports the traditional division of labour and low female labour force participation. Argues that due to diminishing political support this model is eroding.
Subject terms:
pensions, social policy, women, employment, gender;
Social Policy and Administration, 45(2), April 2011, pp.114-130.
Publisher:
Wiley
Using case-based methods this research examines the provision of pensions and income support for older people in OECD countries, to see whether Scandinavian countries are qualitatively different to other OECD nations. The study also looked at whether Scandinavian countries for a separate cluster that defines their coverage for women. Scandinavia can be clearly identified in a separate cluster,
Using case-based methods this research examines the provision of pensions and income support for older people in OECD countries, to see whether Scandinavian countries are qualitatively different to other OECD nations. The study also looked at whether Scandinavian countries for a separate cluster that defines their coverage for women. Scandinavia can be clearly identified in a separate cluster, but it is not alone and other countries also share its similarities. Scandinavia emerges in a cluster that provides more income replacement and protection for women. In part, this is reinforced by the high rate of labour participation by women in Scandinavian countries. However, there is little evidence of Scandinavian countries retaining noticeable differences and divergence in income protection policies for men.
Journal of Social Policy, 36(4), October 2007, pp.561-583.
Publisher:
Cambridge University Press
Place of publication:
Cambridge
The second report of the Pensions Commission sought to establish a framework for a sustainable pension system for future generations of pensioners in the UK. The framework has been largely accepted by government in their recent White Paper, Security in Retirement: Towards a New Pension System (2006). Legislation will follow. The Commission and the government have made a number of claims about how their proposals will benefit women. Reforms have been welcomed by women's lobby groups. This article presents a gendered analysis of the Pensions Commission proposals using unpublished data generated by Pensim2, a pensions' simulator developed by the Department for Work and Pensions. Substantial improvements for women will be in the long term only, and will depend heavily on the extent to which gendered
The second report of the Pensions Commission sought to establish a framework for a sustainable pension system for future generations of pensioners in the UK. The framework has been largely accepted by government in their recent White Paper, Security in Retirement: Towards a New Pension System (2006). Legislation will follow. The Commission and the government have made a number of claims about how their proposals will benefit women. Reforms have been welcomed by women's lobby groups. This article presents a gendered analysis of the Pensions Commission proposals using unpublished data generated by Pensim2, a pensions' simulator developed by the Department for Work and Pensions. Substantial improvements for women will be in the long term only, and will depend heavily on the extent to which gendered patterns of work and family life change in future. For women who follow traditional paths of combining part-time work with looking after children and kin, outcomes will depend on partnering arrangements. If they are married or cohabiting, they will be better off; but if they live alone in later life, the principal advantage of the proposals will be a reduction in means testing rather than an improvement in levels of income.
Subject terms:
income, pensions, poverty, retirement, gender, government policy;
Policy and Politics, 35(2), April 2007, pp.337-352.
Publisher:
Policy Press
This article aims to illuminate the gender dimension of the pension reform debate in Greece between 1990 and 1992. Based on the 1990-92 pension reforms and the political debate preceding them, the article argues that the government had a confused understanding of gender equality, resulting in a selective application of the concept that was hardly in women's interests. Two factors may account for the marginalisation of gender during this debate: first, the initial definition of the pension problem that was blind to gender inequalities within the system, and second, the lack of an organised mechanism to protect and promote women's financial independence and right of choice in the pension system.
This article aims to illuminate the gender dimension of the pension reform debate in Greece between 1990 and 1992. Based on the 1990-92 pension reforms and the political debate preceding them, the article argues that the government had a confused understanding of gender equality, resulting in a selective application of the concept that was hardly in women's interests. Two factors may account for the marginalisation of gender during this debate: first, the initial definition of the pension problem that was blind to gender inequalities within the system, and second, the lack of an organised mechanism to protect and promote women's financial independence and right of choice in the pension system.
Subject terms:
independence, pensions, personal finance, rights, women, choice, gender;
Many women face severe obstacles in accumulating adequate income in later life. The pensions White Paper heralds substantive reform of the pension system, with certain elements assisting women in future to build pension entitlements. The extent to which the reforms will have the desired effect is, however, unclear since the system remains complex and means-tested benefits will remain
Many women face severe obstacles in accumulating adequate income in later life. The pensions White Paper heralds substantive reform of the pension system, with certain elements assisting women in future to build pension entitlements. The extent to which the reforms will have the desired effect is, however, unclear since the system remains complex and means-tested benefits will remain a substantial element of pensioner income for many in the population. The government has committed to a gender impact assessment of the reforms. This article explores the elements of the pension system that should be evaluated if this assessment is to take full account of gender.
Subject terms:
income, pensions, social policy, women, gender, government policy;
Journal of Social Work Practice, 20(3), November 2006, pp.251-266.
Publisher:
Taylor and Francis
Place of publication:
Philadelphia, USA
... older people, gender, social class, age and marital status are important determinants of poverty. Following the Pensions Commission's report in November 2005, the government will introduce pension reforms that will have some impact on pensioner poverty decades in the future, but will have almost no impact on current pensioners, and little impact on those who will shortly become pensioners.
The quality of life of older people is markedly affected by their material resources and experience of income poverty. In 1997, almost a third of those past state pension age in the UK lived in poverty. Changes to benefits and payments to older people since the advent of a Labour government have on some measures reduced these poverty rates significantly. This article critically examines this claim, posing three substantive questions: what do these measurements of poverty rates among older people mean, who are the disadvantaged in old age, and what might the future of poverty in old age look like? Poverty rates are extremely sensitive to the measures used, and particular problems for older people such as depth of poverty and persistent poverty are disguised by headcount poverty rates. Among older people, gender, social class, age and marital status are important determinants of poverty. Following the Pensions Commission's report in November 2005, the government will introduce pension reforms that will have some impact on pensioner poverty decades in the future, but will have almost no impact on current pensioners, and little impact on those who will shortly become pensioners. It is argued that older people are institutionally marginalised in these reforms. Material disadvantage accumulates not only through socio-economic correlates and life events, but also because of age, generation and cohort.
Subject terms:
older people, pensions, poverty, benefits, gender, government policy;
In this article, data from the General Household Surveys 2001 and 2002 is used to show that women in later life are much poorer than men, largely due to the result of women's individual, and hidden, poverty within marriage.
In this article, data from the General Household Surveys 2001 and 2002 is used to show that women in later life are much poorer than men, largely due to the result of women's individual, and hidden, poverty within marriage.