Corporate Document Services; Great Britain. Department for Work and Pensions
Publication year:
2006
Pagination:
95p., bibliog.
Place of publication:
Leeds
This report evaluates the success of a pilot scheme announced in the 2004 Pensions Green Paper, 'Simplicity, security and choice: working and saving for retirement'. The scheme mandates participation in an 'Intensive Activity Period' for older New Dealers, which is presently voluntary. An IAP involves a variety of assistance (training, work experience etc) lasting 13 to 52 weeks. The interim
This report evaluates the success of a pilot scheme announced in the 2004 Pensions Green Paper, 'Simplicity, security and choice: working and saving for retirement'. The scheme mandates participation in an 'Intensive Activity Period' for older New Dealers, which is presently voluntary. An IAP involves a variety of assistance (training, work experience etc) lasting 13 to 52 weeks. The interim results show that the probability of moving on to employment is slightly higher for those mandated to participate than those who aren't, although the results are not particularly strong overall. The authors suggest two recommendations for how the scheme might be improved before its conclusion in 2008.
... for all types of pension provision. In the rest of the publication, pension issues are explored from the perspectives first of the individual, then business and finally government. Labour market trends, current pensioner incomes, expectations of retirement, state and private provision, contributions, the ways that future pensioners are building pension entitlements or planning retirement incomes,
Pension Trends provides a statistical backdrop for the debate on pensions. It looks at both economic and social factors that influence changes in pension provision and pension income over time. The overall scene is set by chapters on the development of pension legislation, and on demographic factors - in particular the ageing population and improvements in life expectancy that affect the demand for all types of pension provision. In the rest of the publication, pension issues are explored from the perspectives first of the individual, then business and finally government. Labour market trends, current pensioner incomes, expectations of retirement, state and private provision, contributions, the ways that future pensioners are building pension entitlements or planning retirement incomes, pension providers and pension fund investment are just some of the many issues covered in this first edition of Pension Trends.
Revija Za Socijalnu Politiku Journal of Social Policy, 13(2), 2006, pp.127-150.
Publisher:
University of Zagreb
The central part of this paper presents a projection of the trends in the number of retired persons and active insured persons in Croatia up to 2031. Based on the age structure of retired persons in 2001 and the set hypotheses on the future influx of pensioners, the trend of the number of retired persons has been projected up to 2031. In accordance with the expected changes in the economic structure of the population in European countries up to 2031, the hypothesis has been set in three variants of the rate of the economic activity of the work contingent. Thus the projected number of potential active insured persons in Croatia was obtained, as well as the ratio between them and the number of retired persons. [Article in Croatian].
The central part of this paper presents a projection of the trends in the number of retired persons and active insured persons in Croatia up to 2031. Based on the age structure of retired persons in 2001 and the set hypotheses on the future influx of pensioners, the trend of the number of retired persons has been projected up to 2031. In accordance with the expected changes in the economic structure of the population in European countries up to 2031, the hypothesis has been set in three variants of the rate of the economic activity of the work contingent. Thus the projected number of potential active insured persons in Croatia was obtained, as well as the ratio between them and the number of retired persons. [Article in Croatian].
... The four styles were: ‘company seekers’, ‘media consumers’, ‘culture enthusiasts’ and ‘sophisticated choosers’. The levels of participation in the four styles were associated with nine background characteristics: gender, education, income, former occupation, work status, retirement pattern, origin, residential area and health. Differences in life satisfaction were associated with leisure participation
This article examines the leisure behaviour, attitudes and life satisfaction of a sample of 383 retirees aged 50 or more years in an Israeli national survey. Multivariate analyses identified four leisure-styles on the basis of the type of leisure activity engaged in, its relative sophistication, whether it was a formally-organised cultural activity, and its location (at home or outdoors). The four styles were: ‘company seekers’, ‘media consumers’, ‘culture enthusiasts’ and ‘sophisticated choosers’. The levels of participation in the four styles were associated with nine background characteristics: gender, education, income, former occupation, work status, retirement pattern, origin, residential area and health. Differences in life satisfaction were associated with leisure participation and leisure satisfaction. Two of the groups, the ‘culture enthusiasts’ and the ‘sophisticated choosers’, were relatively active, and enjoyed significantly higher levels of satisfaction in both their leisure and their lives. These findings tend to support Havighurst's ‘activity theory’. Since these two leisure-styles were followed by minorities, and most of the sample pursued the other leisure-styles, the findings imply that a large proportion of the retired population are inadequately prepared to take up ‘active leisure’. If more older people are to become engaged in active leisure, with benefits to both themselves and to society, they require more guidance and support.
London School of Economics. Centre for Analysis of Social Exclusion
Publication year:
2006
Pagination:
35p.
Place of publication:
London
The policy agenda of extending working lives requires a holistic understanding of factors underlying the decision of older workers to withdraw from work and to retire. This brief paper presents employment patterns and trends of older people across EU Member States and identifies policy initiatives that would encourage more flexible and later retirement. The descriptive empirical evidence (from the EU Labour Force Survey) indicates that there are a broad range of experiences in EU countries with respect to the employment of older workers (those aged 50 and over). Strikingly, in the majority of EU15 countries, close to one-half of those of 50 and over are either unemployed or inactive, with reliance either on early retirement pensions or on social assistance benefits. The recent pension reforms in a number of these countries have increased the retirement age and this is likely to induce older workers to work longer. There is already some evidence that the effective retirement age is on the increase. Results suggest that the increase in older workers' employment is stronger for women than for men, and also for more highly educated. In most instances older workers either tend to be in full-time employment or inactive with very few occupying intermediate positions. Although there is some evidence of a gradual transition towards retirement, there is still a relatively minor proportion of the work force taking advantage of this, as well over 70% of men and around 55% of women in employment in their early 60s worked 35 hours a week or more. The policy aim should therefore be to encourage 'flexible and later retirement'. Additional incentives need to be provided so that people are not only able to move between jobs in later working life but also able to work part-time, without losing their entitlement to benefits (such as early retirement pensions). Such policy incentives will enable workers to avoid the phenomenon of a 'cliff-edge' fall into retirement that many of them often face.
The policy agenda of extending working lives requires a holistic understanding of factors underlying the decision of older workers to withdraw from work and to retire. This brief paper presents employment patterns and trends of older people across EU Member States and identifies policy initiatives that would encourage more flexible and later retirement. The descriptive empirical evidence (from the EU Labour Force Survey) indicates that there are a broad range of experiences in EU countries with respect to the employment of older workers (those aged 50 and over). Strikingly, in the majority of EU15 countries, close to one-half of those of 50 and over are either unemployed or inactive, with reliance either on early retirement pensions or on social assistance benefits. The recent pension reforms in a number of these countries have increased the retirement age and this is likely to induce older workers to work longer. There is already some evidence that the effective retirement age is on the increase. Results suggest that the increase in older workers' employment is stronger for women than for men, and also for more highly educated. In most instances older workers either tend to be in full-time employment or inactive with very few occupying intermediate positions. Although there is some evidence of a gradual transition towards retirement, there is still a relatively minor proportion of the work force taking advantage of this, as well over 70% of men and around 55% of women in employment in their early 60s worked 35 hours a week or more. The policy aim should therefore be to encourage 'flexible and later retirement'. Additional incentives need to be provided so that people are not only able to move between jobs in later working life but also able to work part-time, without losing their entitlement to benefits (such as early retirement pensions). Such policy incentives will enable workers to avoid the phenomenon of a 'cliff-edge' fall into retirement that many of them often face.
Subject terms:
older people, policy, retirement, European Union, flexible working;
Hong Kong Journal of Social Work, 40(1- 2), Winter 2006, pp.33-45.
Publisher:
World Scientific Publishing Company
Place of publication:
Singapore
The paper studies pension reforms in the UK, urban China and Hong Kong. It argues that these reforms share suggestions raised by the World Bank, and that these reforms are not effective in strengthening the capacity of pension schemes in giving older people a secure retirement life. To increase the effectiveness of these schemes, the three Governments should appreciate that the main purpose of the pension reforms is to provide older people with secure retirement rather than to promote investors' interests. Moreover, they should develop a social consensus on how security should be defined.
The paper studies pension reforms in the UK, urban China and Hong Kong. It argues that these reforms share suggestions raised by the World Bank, and that these reforms are not effective in strengthening the capacity of pension schemes in giving older people a secure retirement life. To increase the effectiveness of these schemes, the three Governments should appreciate that the main purpose of the pension reforms is to provide older people with secure retirement rather than to promote investors' interests. Moreover, they should develop a social consensus on how security should be defined.
Subject terms:
income, pensions, retirement, social welfare, government policy;
Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 47(1/2), 2006, pp.175-201.
Publisher:
Taylor and Francis
Place of publication:
Philadelphia, USA
This study examined whether retirement implies complete withdrawal from the labour force and the role that increased wealth and income play in regard to the nature of retirement. Data came from the Health and Retirement Study in the United States, Waves 1-5. Findings indicated that most study sample pre-retirees remained in the labour force as they moved into what are considered the normal retirement years. As they moved on average from 50+ years of age to 60+ years of age, increasing percentages of study sample pre-retirees reported themselves as completely retired. Those who viewed themselves as completely retired were far less likely to work than those who did not view themselves as completely retired. Of particular importance was the finding that increased income in 2000 decreased the likelihood of self-reported complete retirement. Equally important was the finding that increased assets had no effect on retirement status with the exception of survey year 1998 when increased assets decreased the likelihood of viewing oneself as completely retired. Findings suggested that pro-work retirement policies aimed at increasing labour force participation among pre-retirees and increasing the normal retirement age can be effective. Five pro-work policies were discussed. (Copies of this article are available from: Haworth Document Delivery Centre, Haworth Press Inc., 10 Alice Street, Binghamton, NY 13904-1580).
This study examined whether retirement implies complete withdrawal from the labour force and the role that increased wealth and income play in regard to the nature of retirement. Data came from the Health and Retirement Study in the United States, Waves 1-5. Findings indicated that most study sample pre-retirees remained in the labour force as they moved into what are considered the normal retirement years. As they moved on average from 50+ years of age to 60+ years of age, increasing percentages of study sample pre-retirees reported themselves as completely retired. Those who viewed themselves as completely retired were far less likely to work than those who did not view themselves as completely retired. Of particular importance was the finding that increased income in 2000 decreased the likelihood of self-reported complete retirement. Equally important was the finding that increased assets had no effect on retirement status with the exception of survey year 1998 when increased assets decreased the likelihood of viewing oneself as completely retired. Findings suggested that pro-work retirement policies aimed at increasing labour force participation among pre-retirees and increasing the normal retirement age can be effective. Five pro-work policies were discussed. (Copies of this article are available from: Haworth Document Delivery Centre, Haworth Press Inc., 10 Alice Street, Binghamton, NY 13904-1580).
Corporate Document Services; Great Britain. Department for Work and Pensions
Publication year:
2006
Pagination:
112p., bibliog.
Place of publication:
Leeds
This report presents the findings of a research project designed: to explore how self-employed people plan financially for retirement and what influences their decisions; and to gain information about ways in which self-employment may offer flexibility to extend working lives. The research was undertaken against the background of growing policy interest in pension provision, with the appointment
This report presents the findings of a research project designed: to explore how self-employed people plan financially for retirement and what influences their decisions; and to gain information about ways in which self-employment may offer flexibility to extend working lives. The research was undertaken against the background of growing policy interest in pension provision, with the appointment of the Pensions Commission in 2002 and the subsequent publication of a government White Paper on pensions in spring 2006. The Social Policy Research Unit (SPRU) at the University of York undertook the research on behalf of the Department. A qualitative approach was adopted and semi-structured interviews were conducted with 40 people over 40 years old (some of whom had already reached State Pension Age) whose earnings came from self-employment. A range of occupations were represented within the study group.
The Government is looking at ways to enable older people to remain in the workplace longer. Encouraging employers to develop flexible retirement policies is one of the ways the Government is seeking to achieve this change. Flexible retirement policies enable people to work longer by providing flexibility over retirement dates and the hours and/or type of work employees undertake.
The Government is looking at ways to enable older people to remain in the workplace longer. Encouraging employers to develop flexible retirement policies is one of the ways the Government is seeking to achieve this change. Flexible retirement policies enable people to work longer by providing flexibility over retirement dates and the hours and/or type of work employees undertake.