Angola:
Veteran Pensions To Be Updated This Year (August 12,
2010)
(Article in French)
Pensions for former Angolan military veterans will be
increased and updated as a result of the decision of
the 11th Consultative Council of the Ministry of
Former Combatants and Veterans of the Motherland.
South
Africa: Most Workers Clueless About Pensions –
Survey (July 30, 2010)
According to the results of this year's benchmark
survey by Sanlam Employee Benefits in South Africa, a
majority of employees are worried about how they will
pay for their medical bills once they retire.
Moreover, the survey found that an equally high number
are not concerned about how their retirement funds are
invested; however, young people who changed jobs
preferred to cash in their pension rather than to
transfer it to the next employer.
South
Africa: MPs to the Rescue of Transnet Pensioners
(July 29, 2010)
The South African Parliament's Public Enterprises
Committee voted to come to the rescue of 75,000
impoverished pensioners who have been limited to a 2%
annual pension increase since the year 2000. MPs
decried their low and progressively declining incomes
as "repugnant to morality." About 40% of the
pensioners get less than the state old-age pension of
R1080 a month.
Nigeria:
Pension Scheme Records 4.5 Million Contributors
(July 27, 2010)
The licensed Pension Fund administrators managing the
new contributory pension scheme in Nigeria have
registered 4,540,352 employees as of the end of the
second quarter of the current year. More than 400,000
contributors joined the scheme between the month of
March and June 2010. The number of contributors is far
from the estimated working population of 42 million
people due to poor compliance in the private and
informal sectors, as well as some states in the
federation ignoring the pension law. All citizens have
to demand an effective government to assure the
integrity of their pensions.
Pensioners Get Backdated
Increases in August (July 27, 2010)
The almost 200,000 registered Namibian pensioners will
see their pension grants increase by 50 dollars
beginning in August. President Hifikepunye Pohamba
announced these grants in his State of the Nation
address in April. Peter Mwatile, Permanent Secretary
at the Ministry of Labour and Social Services,
admitted that 50 dollars is not much, but he added
that the Government has recognized the need and has
done its best with its available resources.
Nigeria:
Chaotic Pension Verification (July 23, 2010)
Nigeria is currently in the process of verifying
pensioners’ credentials. This verification process
involves updating data to find out those who have died
so their names can be removed as beneficiaries. In the
process, many spent days, even weeks, in long lines
without being assisted. They were exhausted by sun and
rain, and in some extreme cases, died. Many citizens,
media, and humanitarians criticize the government’s
verification process, calling it inefficient.
Africa:
Sarkozy Promises African Veterans Same Pension as
French Counterparts (July 13, 2010)
(Article in French)
French president Nicolas Sarkozy revealed that former
African combatants who fought for France during the
Second World War would receive the same pension as
former French combatants. Previously only veterans
living in France had benefited. However, the decision
from Sarkozy to invite 13 African armies to
participate in a Paris demonstration on July 14 has
been strongly criticized by NGOs and human rights
groups.
Tanzania:
Minister Launches Study On Pension (July 3,
2010)
Tanzania is facing a problem with its pension system.
Almost all the country’s labor force works in the
informal sector; the informal sector is neither taxed,
protected nor monitored by the government. One example
of this is the black market. Officials find it hard to
distribute social security fund services to all
Tanzanians. As a result, only 4% of the labor force
benefit from these services. The government now
advocates a total reworking of the system, as part of
rebuilding the nation.
Tanzania:
Tanzania one step Closer to Universal Social Pension
(July 1, 2010)
In Tanzania, a major study published in June 2010
shows that a universal non-contributory pension is
affordable and can be implemented. A transfer of $11
per month to all people over 60 years would reduce
poverty of older people by 60 percent and the poverty
throughout Tanzania by 12 percent.
Nigeria:
Putting Smiles On Pensioners' Faces (June 25,
2010)
Pensioners in Nigeria face extreme poverty. They often
do not have enough money to sustain themselves.
Corruption and poor funding underlies the situation.
More, the author says that the government is
insensitive to its senior citizens. The government
took measures to help military pensioners when
President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan decided to pay
pensions in arrears over N23 billion--covering seven
years--to about 115,000 military pensioners. This
current initiative marks a major change in the care of
older people in Nigeria.
Nigeria:
Bill on Pension Reform Passes Second Reading (May
26, 2010)
The House of Representatives in Nigeria has passed a
bill to amend pension reform through a second reading.
The bill seeks to exclude members of the Armed forces
of the Federation from the contributory pension scheme
introduced in 2004 by former President Olusegun
Obasanjo.
Uganda:
Bbumba to Ignore Pension Reform in 2010-11 Budget
(May 19, 2010)
The Ugandan government has no plans for taking
concrete steps this year towards opening up the
pension industry. It will certainly not be done before
2011. A liberalized pension sector is one of the best
solutions for a deeper financial market, which tends
to attract foreign capital, and also act as a source
for credit. In Uganda's case, a liberalized pension
market is one way to apply pressure on the national
social security fund to offer its clients a good
return on their savings.
Zimbabwe:
Zimbabwe Pensioners Struggle to Survive on a
Pittance in Dollarized Economy (April 29, 2010)
The dollarization of the Zimbabwean economy worsened
the situation of pensioners in the country.
Dollarization refers to using a foreign currency in
parallel to or instead of the domestic currency. Most
pensioners receive around twenty dollars a month as a
pension and are in urgent need of food assistance. To
help olderZimbabweans survive, funds such as the
Zimbabwe Pensioners Supporters Fund have been created.
But will it be sufficient?
South
Africa: 60-Year-Olds Urged to Apply for Pension
(April 6, 2010)
The Black Sash, a non- governmental human rights
organization in South Africa, has announced that the
qualifying age for men for the means-tested pension is
now equivalent to that for women. This will bring
needed relief to thousands of senior citizens. The
Black Sash intends to advocate for the removal of the
means test from the qualifications assessment. They
are advocating for a universal old age pension.
La
Réunion: 300 Older Persons Demonstrate in
Front of Social Security Office (January 13, 2010)
(Article in French)
Around 300 older persons demonstrated in front of the
Social Security office in
Saint-Denis-de-La-Réunion on January 13. They
called on Social Security managers to pay their old
age pensions on the first day of the month rather than
between the 9th and the 13th, currently the case.
Social Security managers explained that the date of
payment was the result of a 1986 government ruling and
that they cannot change it.
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Americas
& Caribbean
Reports
| Articles
Reports
Report: Canada:
Is Inflation Higher for Seniors? (2010)
This analytical
paper demonstrates how the Consumer Price Index
does or does not affect senior citizens. This
Canadian study looks at how inflation impacts
senior spending.
Brazil:
Over 65s Living for Today, Not Planning for
Tomorrow (September 16, 2010)
The government
and people of Brazil need much better care of
older persons in the face of many challenges to
“traditional” caregivers. Demographic changes
demonstrate that the informal familial support
system is disintegrating. Many Brazilian elders
continue to think that familial care system of the
past will be there for them. Unfortunately, they
will likely find a different reality when they
most need it.
Latin
America: The Impact of a Minimum Pension on Old
Age Poverty and Its Budgetary Cost (July 2010)
Researchers at the Center for Operations Research
and Econometrics examine the impact the fiscal cost
of universal minimum old age pensions in Latin
America and how they reduce poverty. They examined
recent household survey data from 18 countries to
reach their conclusions.
Latin
America: Universal Minimum Old Age Pensions:
Impact on Poverty and Fiscal Cost in 18 Latin
American Countries (May 2010)
A universal minimum pension, often known as a social
pension, would reduce poverty substantially among
older people (except for Argentina, Brazil, Chile
and Uruguay where minimum pension systems already
exist and poverty rates are low). While it is true
that social pensions have a high fiscal cost,
specific costs depend on the age at which benefits
are sought, the longevity of the individual, the
amount of benefits, and the economic state of the
country. Global Action on Aging advocates for social
pensions.
Articles
Canada:
Imprisoned Seniors Will Lose Federal Benefits
(December 15, 2010)
The Harper government will soon cut off federal income
supplements to imprisoned seniors after a bill passed
Tuesday in the Senate. Set to become a law quickly, it
will go into effect very soon. Many Canadians were
outraged that serial killer Clifford Olson was
receiving monthly government benefits in prison.
Nearly 400 senior citizens, serving sentences of two
years or more in prisons, will no longer receive
monthly Old Age Security and Guaranteed Income
Supplement checks.
Bolivia: Bolivia Approves the
Nationalization of Pensions (December 4, 2010)
(Article in Spanish)
After four
years of arduous negotiations, the Assembly of
Bolivia has approved a new law that extends
pension benefits and nationalizes the system. The
funds were up to now in the hands of Spanish bank
BBVA and Swiss insurer Zurich .
Costa
Rica:
33% of Older People Are Obese or Overweight (November
27, 2010)
(Article in Spanish)
A third of older Costa
Ricans (32.6%) have problems of obesity or
overweight. Experts say this high weight makes
them to lose their skills and exposes them to
heart disease and cancer.
Mexico: Country Fails to
Retirees, 81% Have No Pension (November 26,
2010)
(Article in Spanish)
Only
19 percent of seniors are entitled to a retirement
in Mexico
, while in countries like Brazil and Uruguay
this figure exceeds 80
percent. According to the Social Security report
of International Labour Organization, this Central
American country is below the average that stood
at 20%.
Bolivia: Bolivia Plans to Reduce
Poverty with the Pension Act (November 16, 2010)
(Article in
Spanish, also available in Russian)
Bolivia's government hopes to reduce poverty with a
new Pension Law. The legislative initiative provides
a pension for older people and proposes to reduce
the retirement age to 58 years for men and women to
55 years depending on the number of their children.
Argentina:
Argentine Retirees' Demands about to Demolish a
Judicial Court (October 24, 2010)
(Article in Spanish)
The weight of tens of thousands of records with
Argentine retirees demands calling for an increase
in their pensions is about to demolish the
headquarters of ten courts of the jurisdiction of
social welfare in Buenos Aires, says a study by the
National Institute of Industrial Technology (INTI ).
In recent days the court has admitted about 15,000
new proceedings.
Mexico:
Pension for Older People Decreased the Mortality
Among them by 17% (October 20, 2010)
(Article in Spanish)
The introduction of a food pension for older people
has reduced 17% of the mortality among this segment
of the population in Veracruz in the last six years.
Governor Fidel Herrera Beltrán said that this
figure shows the effectiveness of the program.
Across Mexico deaths fell by 9%.
Colombia :
Towards a Reform of the Pension System (October
18, 2010)
(Article in Spanish)
Colombia needs to reform its
pension system. Experts say the country should
begin to discuss issues such as increasing the
years of contribution, allowing pensions below the
minimum wage and improving the efficiency of
pension funds, among others.
Canada: B.C. Backs Federal Bid to Revoke Pensions
(October 4, 2010)
The majority of Canadian provinces will support a
federal plan to revoke government payment checks for
imprisoned seniors, including pension, sales tax
credits and other guaranteed annual income payments.
Canada:
Pension Reform Vital to Maintaining Canadians'
Standard of Living (October 1, 2010)
Canada needs better pension plans to provide
adequate replacement wages for the next generation
of Canadians. A researcher argues that the poverty
rate among older persons in Canada, who are today’s
middle-income earners, risks rising again unless the
current retirement income system is changed.
Dominican
Republic: NGO Asks Pensions for Adults Over 60
Years (September 27, 2010)
(Article in Spanish)
"Precarious, painful and difficult is the situation
facing people over 60 years in the country,
denounced the organization Dominican Republic for a
Dignified Old Age. Only 12% of the elderly receive
some form of pension. The NGO has asked the
government to extend the social benefits for this
group.
Uruguay:
Increase of 17% of Pension (August 30, 2010)
(Article in Spanish)
The Government will increase its national retirement
plans by 17%; current pensions are very low. The
measure will impact more than 40,000 persons, aged
65, who currently receive a pension between 3,000
and 4,000 pesos.
Peru:
Peru President Launches Pension for Older People
in Poverty (July 30, 2010)
Peruvian President Alan Garcia has officially
announced the launch of a monthly social pension for
older people over 75 living in extreme poverty.
According to a National Household Survey in Peru in
2007, 42 percent of people over the age of 75 are
poor, with more women than men accounting for this
rate. The non-contributory pension will raise the
morale of the country and enable older people who
are abandoned and forgotten to have greater economic
independence; it is a great step for elder rights in
Peru.
Peru:
Pension for Old People in Extreme Poverty (July
28, 2010)
(Article in Spanish)
Peruvian President Alan Garcia announced that in
2011, adults over 75 years of age without a pension
and living in extreme poverty will receive an
allocation of 100 soles a month, often known as a
social pension. The government estimates that this
measure will assist two million and a half people
over 75 years of age across the country. Brava!
Argentina: New
Retirees Receive Pension of 35% to 45% of Final
Salary (July 11, 2010)
(Article in Spanish)
Argentineans who retire now receive a pension
between 35% and 45% of their final salary. This
pension is low because it is updated according to an
index that does not take into account the evolution
of wages. Graciela Stasevich, a lawyer who has
championed the rights of pensioners, analyzes the
current situation in Argentina, which is in the
process of changing its pension system.
Canada:
Why You Shouldn’t Retire Early (June 25, 2010)
Edward Jones recently released a poll showing that
Canadians are less confident in their retirement
plans. In Europe, people are pessimistic, too: more
than 55 percent of Europeans believe they will have
to postpone their retirement date. The author
believes that delaying retirement is beneficial
because many retirees miss their jobs and the social
interaction it provided. Some get bored and want to
keep working even if it’s through volunteering.
Colombia:
Only 30% of Older People in Bogotá Receive
Pensions (June 21, 2010)
(Article in Spanish)
The Social Integration Secretariat of Bogotá
revealed that only 30% of elders in Bogota receive
pensions and that most old people live in a high
degree of helplessness. About 23% of the 80,597 poor
households in the city have an older person as part
of the household. In addition, a total of 154,604
people over 60 live in a state of poverty. Among
this number, the female population is most greatly
affected.
Brazil:
Lula Authorizes an Increase of 7.7% on Pensions to
Support His Candidate in the Presidential Election
(June 16, 2010)
(Article in Spanish)
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva will
finally increase pensions by 7.7%. However, the
government's economic team recommended against the
increase for its significant impact on the
government’s economy, but Lula decided not to veto
the Congress’ decision.
Paraguay:
Paraguay's Poor Elders Will Have a State Pension
in August (June 11, 2010)
(Article in Spanish)
The Paraguayan Government announced that older
people who are poor will receive a pension and free
medical care beginning in August. In its first
stage, until December 2010, this initiative will
benefit about 5,000 people aged 60 years From 2011,
the number will increase to about 20,000 additional
beneficiaries per year depending on available
resources of the State. The legislation raises the
monthly pension payments for older adults to a
quarter of the basic wage, currently $280.
Canada:
Banks Call for Changes to Pension System (June 10,
2010)
Two major Canadian financial institutions are
seeking to overhaul the retirement income security
and pension system. A 23-page Special Report from TD
Economics chief economist Craig Alexander urged that
this change be rushed “prudently,” but not blindly.
According to Alexander, the reform will improve the
solvency of the current pension system. He contends
that the current provincial pension plans should be
harmonized. Millions of middle-income workers
without employer pensions are the most
vulnerable-especially those with pre-retirement
earnings of $30,000 to $80,000.
Bahamas:
Foreigners Can Get Pension After Three Years (June
3, 2010)
Foreigners who work in the Bahamas for more than
three years are eligible to receive a pension once
they reach retirement age even if they leave the
country to return to their homeland. The National
Insurance Board wants to reverse this policy by
increasing the time it takes for foreigners to claim
pension benefits.
Canada:
Government Bill Would End Pensions for Jailed
Seniors (May 31 2010)
The Canadian government tabled a bill on May 25 that
would cut off federal income support for
incarcerated seniors. The government is also
currently negotiating with provinces to cut benefits
for inmates in provincial jails. Low-income spouses
of incarcerated seniors would continue to be
eligible for income supplements. Ten million dollars
could be saved annually by ending benefits for
federal prisoners.
Peru: Over
1 million 500 Thousand Adults Without Pension
Benefits (May 26, 2010)
(Article in Spanish)
Eleven million Peruvians
between the ages of 20 and 65, are unaffiliated with
any pension system due to poverty or because they
work in an unregulated company. The Roundtable for
Poverty Reduction (MCLCP) revealed this situation
and warned that more than a 1,500,000 adults over 65
do not have pensions.
Canada:
Pension Reforms Crucial for Financial Security of
Retired Workers (May 26, 2010)
Reforms to pension legislation are gaining strength
in Canada. Manitoba just introduced changes to its
pension benefits legislation, effective May 31.
However, pension reform has been a topic of
increasing scrutiny among provincial and federal
politicians in addition to pension experts.
Jamaica:
Tourism Ministry Readies Sector for Pension,
Retirement Plans (May 20, 2010)
The Ministry of Tourism of Jamaica, in partnership
with the private sector, began a series of regional
forums to sensitize the tourism industry on its
proposed pension and retirement plans. Edmund
Bartlett, Minister of Tourism, stated that a
ministry team has worked hard to develop the
retirement policy and to bring stakeholders together
to discuss the issues. He noted that in addition to
providing a safety net for tourism workers, the
pension forums would educate employees on the
necessity of having long-term plans.
Brazil:
Brazil's Senate Approves 7.7% Increase in Pension
Payments (May 19, 2010)
On May 19, Brazil's Senate approved a 7.7 percent
raise in retirement payments for some of the
country's pensioners. It covers about 8.4 million
beneficiaries and will cost about 8.4 billion reals
from the country's budget, according to Senator
Romero Juca, leader of the government coalition. It
is possible that President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva
will veto the measure as urged by his chief budget
adviser.
Canada:
Pensions: All is Not Well (May 4, 2010)
According to the Jack Mintz report Summary Report on
Retirement Income Adequacy Research, 30% of
Canadians are not saving enough for retirement at
the 100% consumption replacement level; for some
subgroups, that rate has increased to 45%. Pension
reform needs to focus on the private-sector
middle-income worker. A “go slow” approach will not
work. There is enough tax-assisted opportunity in
the current system for this group but they need a
nudge of some sort to use it. It is the job of
pension reform to somehow provide that nudge.
Mexico:
Alimony, a Return to Older Women (May 10, 2010)
(Article in Spanish)
As we celebrate Mother’s
Day, citizens of Mexico City remember the 279,189
older persons that benefit from the social welfare
program provided by the local government. More than
60 percent of this population consists of older
persons, and more specifically, older women. The
government has recognized this population and is
aiming to reform programs to benefit this aging
female population of caregivers.
Canada: Life Insurers
Seek Laws to Fill Public Pension Gap (March 31,
2010)
After the US, it is now Canadians who are debating
expansion of health care coverage. The government is
exploring whether Canadians would be better served
by an expansion of the government savings plan or
increased flexibility and opportunity to participate
in private-sector savings plans.
Nicaragua:
Older Adults Demand Their Pensions (March 25,
2010)
(Article in Spanish)
The National Unity Association of the Older Adult is
demanding a pension equivalent to 2,400 cordobas for
retired older adults who have not completed their
required contribution of 750 weeks. The pensioners
are waiting for Social Security to apply a reduced
pension for the older adults with a minimum of 250
contributions.
Colombia: 72
Older Adults Could Lose Their State Pension (March
21, 2010)
(Article in Spanish)
The Columbian Government created the Program of
Social Protection for Older Adults to provide
services for older persons, especially for those who
live in extreme poverty and are homeless. One
service provides a social pension (a
non-contributory stipend) given to the older
population of the country. However, it was learned
that 72 older adults had not cashed their pension
for two consecutive months, making them ineligible
to continue to receive money in the future.
Peru:
Pension for 1 Million Retired Older Adults (March
14, 2010)
(Article in Spanish)
Congressman Juan Carlos Eguren proposed a new
initiative to provide a pension of 100 soles to
older adults who live in poverty. This social
pension will benefit hundreds of people such as
farmers, tailors, electricians and other freelancers
who never contributed to social security and do not
have a pension as a retiree. The congressman hopes
that the Peruvian population will accept this social
pension since Bolivia developed a similar program
that has worked well for a number of years.
Nicaragua:
Social Security Reform at a Standstill (March 8,
2010)
(Article in Spanish)
Hundreds of older persons demanded that state
senators approve the Law of the Older Adult, which
among other benefits would recognize certain reduced
pensions to those who could not complete the 750
minimum contributions during their working years. In
the Health Committee of the National Assembly led by
Sandinista deputy Gustavo Porras, four law
initiatives related to social security and reduced
pensions were discussed. Retiree representatives,
experts and legislators expressed their points of
view.
Mexico:
Older Adults Praise Efforts of President Felipe
Calderon and Governor Hector Ortiz in Creation of
Economic Support Programs (February 21, 2010)
(Article in Spanish)
The older adults from the State of Tlaxcala received
their pension money under the State Program of
Economic Support for Older Persons. They thanked the
Mexican President and the State Governor for their
efforts since 2005 to help the older people. The
government made an historic investment of more than
20 billion pesos for social programs for the
vulnerable sectors: health, infrastructure,
education and social services for women, older
adults, children and disabled persons.
North
America: Canadian Retirees Like Their Lot, Survey
Says; US Seniors More Likely to Worry About Money
(February 11, 2010)
According to a recent cross-border survey on
retirement, Canadian retirees are more confident
about their retirement than those in the US. Indeed,
US seniors are twice as likely as Canadian ones to
say they might need a job to supplement their
retirement income. Moreover, more Canadians think
their golden years for the most part match what they
were expecting.
Mexico:
45 Percent of the Older People in the State of
Chihuahua are Living in Poverty (February 3, 2010)
(Article in Spanish)
Some 45 percent of the 252,000 older adults in the
State of Chichuahua live on the poverty line and
require some kind of government assistance to
survive. This year the number of older persons that
depend on the State for food, medical assistance and
economic help increased by 20 percent. Beatriz
Espinoza, the head of the Program Service for the
Older Adult, explains that there are plans to give
discounts at various stores for the most need older
people in the community.
Nicaragua:
The Nicaraguan Institute of Social Security is Not
Giving Reduced Pensions (January 21, 2010)
(Article in Spanish)
The Nicaraguan Center for Human Rights has denounced
the Nicaraguan Institute of Social Security (INSS)
for prejudicing older people when they receive their
pensions. The author asserts that the INSS is not
only forcing older people to stand in long lines and
giving them poor service but they are also retaining
the pension money for the people that have not
reached the required contributions. “There are
people that have very bad health issues and they
have the right to receive social protection,” the
human rights lawyer explained. Meanwhile, the
president of the Commission on Health and Social
Security recognized the mistreatment to older people
and promised changes.
Bolivia:
New Pensions Bill Intends to Universalize the
Pension for Older Persons (January 20, 2010)
(Article in Spanish)
Bolivian officials launched a new pension system on
December 21. In this system, called the Mixed
System, all Bolivians can obtain their pension
regardless of the amount of contributions that they
made. Pensioners will be divided into three
categories: those who had a full-time job, those who
had part-time and/or temporary employment and those
who did not work in the formal labor force. Although
the system has flaws, the government expects to
perfect it with time, keeping the basic principle of
universality.
Trinidad
and Tobago: Richards Tackles Property Tax (January
14, 2010)
At the Opening of Parliament, President George
Maxwell Richards warned that the recently passed
legislation to impose property tax could bring undue
hardship to retired people, particularly retired
government workers and judiciary members. The
President suggests that considering rising costs,
stagnant pensions, and the indigent conditions of
many retired public servants, it is time to review
the pension policies.
Return
to Top of Page
Asia Pacific
Reports
| Articles
Reports
China’s Social
Protection System of the Elderly (September 9,
2010)
This report analyses why and how the social
protection system of the elderly emerged in China,
and details how economic reform, social structure
and traditional Chinese ideology influenced the
formation of the social protection system of the
elderly. It also gives an insight into the
profound discrepancies of the current pension
system in China stemming from the urban / rural
divide, regional disparities, subsidies provided
only by certain work units, and gradual reforms.
China: The Chinese
Pension System: First Results on Assessing the
Reform Option (June 2010)
According to a study from Heikki Oksanen that
the European Commission sponsored, the current
Chinese pension system covers only 55 percent of
urban employees and a very small portion of the
rural population. The author analyzes some of the
Chinese pension system reforms as well as
describing the transition to a national defined
contribution (NDC) system. The NDC is a model for
adjusting the pension rules for older persons who
are now living longer than was anticipated.
Articles
Hong
Kong: Hong Kong to Launch Mortgage Income Pilot
Scheme for Elderly (December 16, 2010)
The Hong Kong Mortgage Corporation
will start a reverse mortgage pilot scheme next
year to give older persons another source of
income derived from the value of their homes.
Under the scheme, people aged 60 and over who own
a mortgage-free home can receive monthly payments
from an approved bank for the rest of their lives.
Korea: Baby Boomers
Face Long Retirement without Income (December
13, 2010)
A new study found that approximately 7 million
Korean baby boomers are financially vulnerable.
Korean baby boomers’ life expectancy is 80 years
and the average retirement age is 55 years.
Current Korean seniors will live 25 years without
income after retirement. Korean universal social
security program started in 1999, so many retirees
did not have the chance to contribute very much
into the system. Unfortunately, nearly one-third
of retirees admitted that they had been unable to
save money during their employed years.
China: China to Establish
Subsidy System for Elder Care Services (November
8, 2010)
(Article in Chinese)
The Vice Minister of Civil Affairs Dou Yupei says
that the central government will establish a
subsidy system to promote elder care services.
This system will help senior citizens who live
alone or have physical disabilities to move to
nursing houses or receive elder care services at
home.
China: Census to Detail
Rapid Greying of China (November 5, 2010)
China is carrying out its decennial census which
will reveal how fast the world’s most populous
country is greying. The census information will
also help the government to calibrate a long-term
plan for improving the current pension
system.
South Korea: South
Korea to Spend Billions of Dollars to Boost
Birthrate (October 26, 2010)
To prepare for the anticipated economic crisis due
to an increasing aging population, the South
Korean government announced plans to spend 75.8
trillion won (US$67.8 billion) over the next five
years to boost one of the world's lowest
birthrates. The Korean government will implement
programs for both the elderly and young married
couples.
Singapore: Proposal to
Subsidise Wages of the Elderly Clinches Top
Prize (October 26, 2010)
A team of students came up with a proposal for an
Elderly Credits Scheme: subsidise senior citizens'
wages for firms who hire them. The proposal won
top prize in an annual policy-making competition
on October 25. A new element of the competition
this year-- "learning journeys"--involved visits
by participants to two elder care centers. This
was to enable the future policy-makers to grasp
the real-life issues that senior citizens face.
Japan: Old People Kill
the Economy (October 22, 2010)
Home to the most devastating demographic crunch on
the planet, Japan faces the economic burden of
supporting an aging population. According to
Barclays, the population factors depress the real
GDP by around 1%.
China: A Distance That
Keeps Soup Warm (October 18, 2010)
(Article in Chinese)
It is a commonly hold opinion in China that the
ideal distance children should move away from
their parents is “a distance that keeps soup
warm.” Now community older care stations in
Chengdu allow older people to live in the same
community with their children. Most senior
citizens prefer community-based older care
stations to nursing homes that are located far
away from their children.
China: Hundreds of Old
People Left Behind in Seaweed Houses (October
13, 2010)
(Article in Chinese)
Weiwei, a small old seaside village in Shandong
Province, is famous for its primary architecture
of seaweed houses. There are 789 residents living
in the village, while more than 200 are over 70
years of age and the youngest resident is 51. The
elderly in the village who are left behind face a
big problem: who will carry on the tradition and
technique of building seaweed houses?
China: China's Aging
Population Needs Care System (October 8, 2010)
As demographic aging accelerates, China urgently
needs to establish a social care insurance system,
a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Social
Sciences said on Monday at an international
symposium on protecting the rights of people with
disabilities. A large number of the elderly in
China are extremely frail and need proper care;
creating a social care insurance system is a
timely response to the problem of aging in China.
China: Senior Citizens Aged
60 Hit 3 Million in Shanghai (October 12, 2010)
(Article in Chinese)
In Shanghai, there were more than 3 million over
60 years of age at the end of 2009, and the
elderly comprise 22.5% of the total population of
Shanghai. This rate is twice the national average.
Now Shanghai is developing elder care community
support systems that will provide senior citizens
with effective and high-quality elder care
services.
China: Beijing to
Increase Welfare Pension of 200 RMB (October 5,
2010)
(Article in Chinese)
Currently, senior citizens who do not enjoy the
benefits of the social security system receive
welfare pensions of 200 RMB per month in Beijing.
However, 200 RMB can barely cover basic living
expenses in the big city. The Beijing Human
Resources and Insurance Bureau suggests an
appropriate increase in the welfare pension by
referencing the Consumer Price Index and the
average wage.
China: Pension Reform
Begins in Shanghai (October 4, 2010)
China will raise the pension age by five years
because of scandals, corruption and the one-child
policy. A pilot project launched first in the
country’s largest city will gradually be applied
to the rest of the country. The government wants
everyone to work longer since fewer children mean
fewer contributions to the pension plans.
China:
800 Million Chinese Will Receive Social Security
Cards by 2015 (October 4, 2010)
(Article in Chinese)
By the end of the 12th Five-Year Plan (2011-2015),
the number of nationally issued social security
cards will be up to 800 million, according to the
minister of Human Resources and Social Security in
China. The social security cards contain
cardholders’ social insurance information such as
pension, medical insurance, unemployment
insurance, etc. The director of the Social
Insurance Institute says that the social security
system will remain an urgent problem for the next
ten years in China. To improve the current social
security system, China has to tackle five knotty
social issues, for example, narrowing the
rural-urban gap and the income gap.
China: Shenzhen to
Distribute 2000 Free Mobile Phones to Senior
Citizens (October 3, 2010)
(Article in Chinese)
October 16 is the Chinese Double Ninth Festival, a
day to care for and appreciate the elderly. On
December 28, the Shenzhen government will launch
the Elderly Support Call Center, and distribute
2,000 free mobile phones to senior citizens who
are over 80 years old and live alone. Old people
will be able to be connected to the Elderly
Support Call Center directly using push-to-talk, a
special service installed in the mobile phones.
China:
Senior Citizens in Lanzhou Enjoy “Virtual
Nursing Home” Services (October 1, 2010)
(Article in Chinese)
Lanzhou launched a virtual nursing home on
December 2, 2009, and by September 2010 nearly
41,000 older persons had joined. As a governmental
organization, the virtual nursing home purchases
or subsidizes elder care services projects
conducted by local nursing homes, and provides
onsite care services to senior citizens.
South Korea: More than
3 Million Receive Benefits from National Pension
(September 28, 2010)
The number of beneficiaries of the South Korea
national pension has climbed significantly every
year, surpassing three million as of September
2010. Meanwhile, the number of people who pay
contributions to the fund declined. The Ministry
of Health & Welfare expects the number of
subscribers to the national pension will rapidly
reach its peak. The ministry is pessimistic, and
warns of a national pension crisis because the
funds will run out by 2060 if the current trend
continues.
China:
Shanghai Launches Flexible Retirement Program
(September 28, 2010)
(Article in Chinese)
Beginning October 1, 2010, professional and
technical workers in Shanghai can apply to extend
the age at which they receive their pensions. The
new policy allows men to postpone their retirement
to 65, while women will be permitted to work as
late as 60. Most university graduates support the
new program; however, some retirees are worried
that young people will face more competition for
jobs under this policy.
China:
Nursing Homes Become New Elder Care Trend
(September 27, 2010)
(Article in Chinese)
According to a recent survey, 97% of old people in
Hainan Province receive family care at home, while
the rest choose nursing houses. However,
researchers estimate that more and more old people
will move to nursing homes to alleviate the great
pressure on their children. For this generation,
the traditional opinion of raising children as a
guarantee against old age has become unrealistic.
China:
Guangdong to Relax Family Policy by 2030
(September 25, 2010)
Guangdong Province will relax the one-child policy
gradually. Qualified couples--with either the
husband or wife being the only child–can have a
second child after 2020, and all couples in the
province will be allowed to have a second child
starting 2030. This move is aimed at helping
tackle the burden of an aging population,
according to the director of the Guangdong
provincial population and family planning
commission.
China: China
Raises Pensions for Retired and Disabled
Soldiers (September 20, 2010)
(Article in Spanish)
In October, China will increase pensions by 10
percent for disabled soldiers, the families of
soldiers killed in action and the former Red Army
members who live in rural areas. The funds to
cover this increase will come from the State
budget.
China: Survey Shows 91
Percent Oppose Raising Retirement Age (September
15, 2010)
A recent survey in China shows that 91 percent of
over 800,000 respondents do not favor raising the
retirement age in China. For the past few years,
government and citizens have debated whether to
increase the retirement age in China. According to
Ma Li, a labor economist and a counselor to the
State Council, the retirement age should be raised
only if there is a severe labor shortage, high
pension payments or a governmental fiscal crisis.
China currently is not experiencing any of these
situations.
China:
Two Taxpayers To Support One Pensioner
(September 9, 2010)
(Article in Chinese)
After 25 years, the elderly population is
projected to peak at 294 million in China, which
means that two taxpayers will support one
pensioner. Experts suggest postponing the
retirement age as a possible measure to avert the
crisis of aging.
Australia: Labor Woos
Elderly Voters (August 9, 2010)
The Labor Party in Australia is promising a
package of nearly $100 million to support older
citizens in the workforce and grandparent
care-giving. The package is called Delivering for
Seniors. According to the plan, aged pensioners
can earn up to $250 a fortnight without affecting
their pension payment and can build up an income
bank to $6,500 to offset more earnings when they
do work.
Japan: Government Maps out
7 Rules on Pension Reforms (June 30, 2010)
The Japanese government is calling for discussions
to deal with possible changes in the pension
system, after cabinet ministers presented seven
proposals for consideration. Among these measures
was a plan to set a minimum sum necessary for
pensioners to live.
China: An Investigation of
the Subsidies to Elderly People in Developed
Provinces in China (June 22, 2010)
(Article in Chinese)
In September of 2009, the Chinese government
announced subsidies to older persons (80 years old
or more). However, by June 22, 2010, only 6 out of
34 provinces implemented policies that met the
national standard; 7 provinces do not have
subsidies to advanced age people and 16 provinces
only subsidize people older than 100 years of
age.
Indonesia: The Coming of
(Old) Age in Indonesia (June 14, 2010)
As life expectancy increases for Indonesians, the
country itself is experiencing an increase in its
older population and more demands for Social
Security and pensions. However, the current public
pension system only benefits civil servants,
leaving many low-income workers to struggle
against poverty in their old age.
China: Policies
Regarding Demographic Dividends of Old Persons
during the 12th Five-year Plan (2012-2017) (May
23, 2010)
(Article in Chinese)
By 2035, the number of people over 65 will rise to
over 29.4 million in China. Experts from Tsinghua
University suggest the government try to increase
the demographic dividends of this age group. If
the government accounts for older persons’
employment, spending power, and investment
capacity over the next 25 years, it may well
reduce how much they need to live
comfortably.Possible policy changes include
delaying the retirement age as well as
re-configuring pension and taxation plans.
India: Retirement
Savings, A Boost for India's New Pension Scheme
(April, 30, 2010)
The Government of India recently announced an
additional 1,000 Rupees ($25) contribution every
year for the next three years for everyone who
joins the new pension scheme. Providing
opportunities to the working poor to build up
savings for retirement is an important public
policy goal for the government. However, response
has been disappointing so far. One of the key
obstacles is the need to give individuals
incentives to join the plan and to divert some of
their current consumption towards long-term
savings.
South Korea: Most Firms
Oppose Rise in The Age For Retirement (April 15,
2010)
According to a survey of 300 firms conducted last
month by the Korea Chamber of Commerce and
Industry, 57.4 percent said they oppose the idea
of extending the retirement age. Among the reasons
given were an increase in labor costs, a labor
surplus, labor management problems, lower
productivity and difficulties in recruiting new
employees. In a country where the average age of
retirement from local firms is 56.8 years, the
issue becomes a major one with the aging of
baby-boomers.
Sri Lanka: Sri Lankan
Farmers Get Pensions (April 5, 2010)
The Sri Lankan government has taken measures to
provide a pension to the country's farmers who
reach 60 years of age and become members of an
insurance plan. Many governments don’t recognize
farmers as “workers:” Most of them do not receive
a fixed income from their livelihood. The new
insurance provisions are a way for them to draw
benefits they would not otherwise receive.
India: Punjab Govt to
Disburse Pension to Elderly, Widows &
Disabled (March 30, 2010)
Starting April 1, 2010, older persons, widowed and
destitute women and disabled persons should get a
regular social pension. The government is
considering the best way to distribute those
pensions to the genuine beneficiaries as soon as
possible.
China: 2010 Average
Pension At Shanxi Province Will Reach 1382 Yuan
Per Month (March 28, 2010)
(Article in Chinese)
As the average pension increases, the Shanxi
Department of Human Resources and Social Security
will develop a pension reform pilot project
designed for non-rural seniors who have no job and
those who work at state-owned enterprises but have
passed the age of joining the pension system.
China: Secure 100%
Pension Payment for People Retired from
Organizations (March 22, 2010)
(Article in Chinese)
In Shanxi Province at the end of last year,
854,000 people employed in non-state-owned
organizations along with freelancers had joined
the pension system. Government administration
agencies signed a pension payment agreement with
1,214 organizations that are in a difficult
financial condition, allowing them to pay pensions
for their employees later. The number of affected
employees is 128,400.
China: Pension Doubled
During The Past Four Years (March 21, 2010)
(Article in Chinese)
Now the average pension in Shantou's special
economic zone has reached 1,059 yuan per month.
More than 60,000 low-income retired people are
enrolled in medical insurance. The annual
investment income from the social insurance fund
is more than 20 million yuan.
China: Government
Officials' Pensions (March 7, 2010)
(Article in Chinese)
Currently, government officials' pensions are
double the pensions of private organizations and
companies because of the so-called dual pension
system. In the following one to two years, the
dual pension system will be consolidated into one
and the pension difference will be reflected in
annual salaries.
China: Qinghai Province
Has Finished 2010 Pension Adjustment for Retired
Seniors at Organizations (March 2, 2010)
(Article in Chinese)
The general adjustment for retired seniors is 140
yuan per month. The special adjustment will be
made on top of the general adjustment for
qualified seniors.
China: The Level of
Social Security Planning Raised, Basic Pension
May Be Included (March 1, 2010)
(Article in Chinese)
China is going to expand social security coverage.
Basic pension reforms are needed to protect
unsecured seniors and farmers whose land has been
taken over by the government. Reforms of pension
systems for those working in commerce and other
institutions also need to be considered.
China: First Step for
Worry Free Pension for Farmers; Linze County
Initiated Rural Area Pension System Pilot
Project (March 1, 2010)
(Article in Chinese)
During the past two months in Linze County, 72,100
out of 120,000 rural people signed up for pension
insurance; in some areas as much as 76 percent of
the population enrolled. All 11,500 seniors
eligible for rural basic pensions will receive
them.
China:
“Gao Ling Senior Pension”: Breakthrough of
General Social Welfare? (February 21, 2010)
(Article in Chinese)
“Gao Ling seniors” refers to seniors age 80 and
over. Since May 2009, the Ningxia Province
government has provided a basic living pension for
Gao Ling seniors in rural areas and for those
living in the city but found in a low-income
family with no stable income.
China: Rural Pension
System Research Aroused by Letter from Senior in
Rural Area (January 21, 2010)
(Article in Chinese)
Over 80% of farmers are willing to sign up for
pension insurance. Their expectations focus on
whether the central and local governments provide
adequate subsidies for individuals.
China: Can Senior
Citizens get Pensions from a Non-Resident City
More Conveniently? (January 7, 2010)
(Article in Chinese)
As the aging of society speeds up and more and
more seniors are living in cities other than their
city of origin, they face the inconvenience of
obtaining pensions. The three major problems are
high commissions charged by the banks, no detailed
record of transactions and no customized service
for seniors.
Japan: Japan Confirmed
4,727 Korean Persons Who Were Forced to Work for
Japan During WWII Have a Pension Record (January
2, 2010)
(Article in Chinese)
Since Japan has not discovered the exact time when
the Koreans joined the pension system, it is not
clear if these people are qualified to
compensation from the Japanese pension system.
Return to Top of Page
Europe and
Central Asia
Reports | Articles
Reports
United
Kingdom: Attitudes to the Pension (2010)
On behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions,
researchers at the National Centre for Social
Research examined UK residents’ attitudes toward
pensions. They learned that citizens had both
changed some of their ideas as well as kept
long-held views. Read this report to learn more
about UK attitudes toward savings and retirement, as
differentiated among age groups.
United Kingdom: The Future of Retirement
(June 2010)
This 2010 report explores the politics and
realities of retirement in the UK today. Looking
at many questions about retirement, the writers
explore whether one needs to have been a paid
employee to retire, explores the discrepancies
about retirement age, state pension age, and the
complications of the gender gap regarding
retirement and benefits.
Report: Pensions: reduce
inequalities (2010)
(Report in French)
The Ombudsman has released its proposals to fight
against failures, injustices and inequalities
regarding the pension reform. In the July 2010 "
Ombudsman newspaper , proposals set out to reduce "
inequities " cover four themes : the calculation of
average annual wage, the right to survivor's pension
for the PACS , the extension of contributory periods
and situations deemed " unfair " in the public
service. It emphasizes that it is unfair to take into
account in the same way both years fully contributed
(4 quarters) and years incomplete due to illness ,
unemployment or maternity once a quarter has been
validated , resulting in lowering the overall average.
It put forward that partners who had registered a
civil union for at least for two years get the
survivor's pension: it also advocates to extending the
" assessed period deemed " unemployed entrepreneurs or
those in training . Finally, it calls for sharing both
the reversing to officials who had several unions and
the contributions of part-time employees.
France: French Pension Advisory
Council Report (April 14, 2010)
(Report in French)
On April 14, the government-appointed Pensions
Advisory Council released a report confirming that the
French pension system is threatened. As life
expectancy increases, the number of pensioners will go
from 16 million today to 22 million in 2050. Already
the economic crisis accelerated the deficit as the
unemployment rate grew. Today, the actual deficit
corresponds to what the government expected in 2030.
The report outlines a number of possible future
scenarios, claiming that the pension deficit will
range between 72 and 115 billion euros by 2050.
Europe: Policy Brief: Fiscal
and Pension Sustainability: Present and Future
Issues in EU Countries (February 2010)
Researchers for this Policy Brief explore pension
sustainability in EU countries: what will be the
impact of current policy reforms on the future for
pension systems and incomes of future retirees? The
Brief also examines the financial sustainability of
public finances in EU states and the likely evolution
of pension incomes in these countries. The authors
also look at how the current pension reform responses
to economic challenges have reshaped pension systems
into a variety of programs that are less
redistributive in some cases and more socially
protective in others.
United Kingdom: The
Aviva Real Retirement Report (February 2010)
In a new report, Aviva, one of Britain’s largest
insurance companies, released new information on UK
retirees. In 2011, almost 29% of the UK population
will be 55 years or older. The report divides this
population into three age groups- pre-retirees (55-64
years), retirees (65-74 years), and long-time retired
(75 years and older). Within these groups, researchers
found poverty is a real issue: 21% of over 55s have an
income of £750 or less. Also, while
homeownership is high, many have very high mortgages
as well. Those with the highest income live in London,
Scotland, and South West UK.
Articles
Slovakia: Slovaks Have Low
Expectations of Retirement Income Security (December
9, 2010)
Many Slovaks--57 percent of working people and 72
percent of pensioners--expect to have insufficient
pension income, according to a survey. The results
show that economically active people are more
optimistic about their pension than pensioners, and
high-income workers are more optimistic than women or
low-income workers.
Russia: “Revolution” for
Seniors (December 9, 2010)
(Article in Russian)
According to a new law on the delivery of pensions,
only the banks that have both a license for complete
bank activity with the Central bank of Russia and at
least 5 billion rubles in equity can be used to
deliver pensions. This new condition excludes many
banks, who after a rigorous selection had been
administering pensions with great success. A vast
number of medium-sized banks are no longer permitted
to disperse pensions. Consequently, millions of older
persons might be left without their pensions for the
New Year.
Russia: Pensioners Will Age a
Bit (December 8, 2010)
(Article in Russian)
The question of increasing retirement age in Russia
continues. Contrary to earlier discourse, retirement
age will, in fact increase. According to government
officials, there is no other way to liquidate the
Pensions Fund’s 1.1 trillion ruble deficit. Aleksei
Leonidovich Kudrin, a government official, proposes to
raise the retirement age for men to 62, and “bring
[it] to 60 years" for women. Currently men in Russia
can retire at 60 and women at 55.
Ukraine: Azarov Does-Away
with Maximum Pensions (December 6, 2010)
(Article in Russian)
Nikolai Azarov, Ukraine’s prime-minister, delegated
the chairman of Ukraine’s Pension fund Boris Zaichuk
to conduct reforms within the pension system. Capping
pensions is the primary concern of the new law.
Changes in the retirement age for certain categories
of citizens, and the transition to a retirement
savings system are also of importance. The size of
pensions has been increasing in the Ukraine since
December 1, 2010.
Russia: Bashkiria Ministry
of Labor: There Will Be No Older Persons Living
Below the Poverty Level in Bashkikia in 2010
(December 2, 2010)
(Article in Russian)
The Department of Labor in the republic of Bashkiria
conducted reforms as part of the Russian Federation’s federal in providing
social welfare support to the poor. In addition to
federal subsidies and higher pay for older persons,
the Bashkir administration will provide those in
need with an additional 130 rubles a week. This will
bring this population’s income above poverty
level.
Ireland: US Stock Prices
Key to Irish National Pension Fund Sales
(December 1, 2010)
The National Pension Reserve Fund of Ireland
invests around 20 percent of its fund in U.S.
stocks and 0.3 percent in Irish stocks. This means
that any downturn or change in the U.S. stock
market, not the domestic stock market, could
significantly hurt the national pension fund.
Ireland: 43,000 Join Call
for Pension Protections (December 1, 2010)
More than
43,000 Irish have signed a petition calling for the
defense of the state pension and other supports for
older people. Older & Bolder, an alliance of
eight organizations representing and working with
older people, asserted that older persons would
resist any further erosion of the state pension or
other assistance.
Lithuania:
Lithuanian Pension Association Sues Government
(November 30, 2010)
The Lithuanian Association of Pension Fund
Participants sued the nation’s government for
reducing contributions to its private pension
system. The association asserts that the government
failed to fulfill the requirements of pension reform
legislation. According to a spokesman, the suit has
been sent to the constitutional court and will be
processed next year.
France:
France’s Constitutional Watchdog Says Raising
Retirement Age to 62 is Legal (November 9, 2010)
The French retirement age was just raised to age 62,
and despite protest and debate surrounding legality
issues the constitutional council ruled that
Sarkozy’s measures were perfectly legal.
France:
Reform on the Dependence of Seniors: All Cards Are
on the Table, Says Eric Woerth (November 8, 2010)
(Article in French)
Minister of Labor Eric Woerth will open debate on
financial reforms for dependent elderly persons.
“All options will be considered,” he said. Among
them are: mandatory enrollment in a “dependency”
insurance once a person reaches 50 years old and
increasing the required contribution while reducing
eligibility for the benefits.
United Kingdom: BBC Employees
Strike Against Pension Reform (November 5, 2010)
(Article in Arabic)
BBC employees started 2 strikes, each lasting 48 hours
opposing the pension reform. BBC suggested cancelling
planned pension plans and replacing them with
retirment plans which will force employees to work
longer and get less in the future.
Armenia: The Retired people
of Armenia will Receive their Pensions on Plastic
Cards beginning in 2011 (November 4, 2010)
(Article in Russian)
According to the minister of Labor and Social affairs
Artur Grigorian, the new pension reforms in Armenia
will allow the elderly to receive their pension not
just in cash at certain locations or at home, but by
electronic transfers directly into any of Amenia’s
banks. Bank charges for opening a bank account will be
paid for by the government.
Ukraine: Yanukovich Notes the
Necessity of Pension Reform (November 3, 2010)
(Article in Russian)
The president of Ukraine, Viktor Yanukovich, declared
that reforms in the pension system are essential.
According to him, the problems lie in an outdated
system, and the fact that wages aren’t legalized.
United Kingdom: Should
We Strike Over Pension Age like the French? (October
26, 2010)
The writer engages in an argument regarding why the UK
should not strike over the pension age like the
French. The fact that people are living longer is a
key point in the argument.
France: French Senate
Approves Final Draft of Pension Reform Bill (October
26, 2010)
Despite enraged French citizen protests, the French
Senate passed the final draft of the new legislation
that raises the minimum age for pensions to 62 from
60. The bill includes several exceptions for manual
laborers and women who take maternity leaves.
Russia: The Russian Pension
System May Soon Undergo Considerable Changes
(October 25, 2010)
(Article in Russian)
The specialists at the Ministry of Health in Russia
believe that the federal pension savings system is
meaningless. Currently, neither the state, nor the
people with capital in their accounts, are able to
spend it. The current system does not allow for
accumulation of substantial enough amounts. Andrei
Nechaev, the former Minister of Economy, believes that
non-federal organizations will operate more
efficiently. Time will show whether the administration
approves of the Ministry of Health’s ideas.
France: French
Fury in the EU Cage (October 21, 2010)
(Article also available in French and Spanish)
Why are international observers baffled by resistance
to the Sarkozy-Woerth pension reform in France? Diana
Johnstone draws on political and economic history to
analyze the complexities of the reform. She traces its
origins to the dynamic of the Sarkozy government,
pressure from the European Union and the
deindustrialization of modern Western economies.
Russia: Public Transportation
Passes Will Be Taken from the Elderly (October 20,
2010)
(Article in Russian)
The Budget Standing Committee on Social Policy has
decided to take away older persons monthly travel
passes in order to save money for the city budget.
This decision has not yet been finalized.
United Kingdom: Government
to Raise the State Pension to 66 by 2020 (October
20, 2010)
(Article in Arabic)
Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne announced
that the British coalition government will increase
the state pension age to 66 by 2020. They mentioned
that the plan would save the government over 6 billion
pounds every year.
France: French
Retirement Protests Take Violent Turn (October
19, 2010)
Widespread strikes in France continue and
Sarkozy remains firm in his decision to raise
the retirement age. In the meantime, the country
experiences great upheaval as hundreds of
flights are cancelled; 4,000 gas stations are
out of gas and bags of trash are piling up along
sidewalks.
Russia: Retirement: An awaited
Vacation or a Difficult Time? (October 14, 2010)
(Article in Russian)
A Russian
Public Opinion Research Center study revealed that
64 percent of Russians see retirement as one of the
most difficult stages of a person’s life. Many
believe that after retirement life changes for the
worse, the pension rate will remain inadequate to
lead a normal life and preparation for retirement
must begin before the age of 35. The opinion poll
was conducted September 25-26 of this year.
Russia: In Moscow Retiree Cost of Living
Fixed at 6,273 rubles (October, 14, 2010)
(Article in Russian)
On October
7, over 15,000 union members came out to protest
pension reforms in Bulgaria. Moscow’s cost of living
payments for retirees for the year 2011 will be
increased to 6,273 rubles. According to federal law
based on fixed income, the government must
supplement pensioners with additional pay if they
live in regions of Russia where the cost of living
is above the national cost of living standard.
France:
Simul-retraite.fr: An On-line Retirement Simulator
(October 13, 2010)
(Article in French)
The company Maxiumis recently launched a personalized
retirement simulator. The goal is to improve general
understanding among future French retirees on the
various contribution plans. (Careful: there is a fee
for this service!) The article outlines the basics of
the French retirement system.
Finland: Finland
Shows the Way for a Successful Reform (October 12,
2010)
(Article in French)
Finland offers an alternative path to retirement
reform. After 15 years of research, Finland put into
place a multifold retirement reform. Instead of just
raising the retirement age, the government proposes a
“carrot and stick” method: financial incentives for
those who wait until the age of 68 to retire, instead
of the mandatory age of 63. Other projects target
improving elderly workers’ competencies as well as
changing business leaders’ mentalities about
aging.
Bulgaria: We Want Our Rights; We Want Our
Money (October 7, 2010)
(Article in Russian)
On October
7, over 15,000 union members came out to protest
pension reforms in Bulgaria. Their greatest concern
was the increase in the retirement age. According to
the anticipated reforms, although the retirement age
will gradually increase until the year 2022, it will
not exceed 65 years. The current retirement age is
63 years for men and 60 for women.
Europe :
9th Round Table on Poverty and Social
Exclusion (October 4, 2010)
AGE sent a
letter to EU Ministries of Employment, social
Affairs and Health calling for governments to
address growing poverty and social exclusion of
older people today. They reminded that the
strengthening, not cutting-back, of pension
systems is critical to the well-being of the
elderly population. Pensions are especially
important to elder women who have been unpaid
primary caregivers within the family.
Malta: Government Expenditure
on Pensions – €338 Million (October 2, 2010)
The Maltese government expenditure on pensions
amounted to €338 million (466 million US dollars), 51
percent of total social security benefits. During
2009, the total number of persons aged 60 and over was
90,697, or 22 percent of the total population. Women
accounted for more than half the total.
Russia: Alexey Uluyakayev, First Deputy
Chair of Central Bank, Proposes to Limit Growth of
Pensions and Reduce Number of State Employees in
Country. (September 30, 2010)
(Article in Russian)
Alexey
Uluyakayev, deputy chair of Central Bank, has once
again suggested that the age of retirement be
raised. He believes it is not the federal
government’s responsibility to carry the burden of
maintaining civil benefits standards in all of
Russia. Although he suggests that these standards
not be enacted prior to 2012, he does believe that
Russia needs to stop spending more than it earns.
The chairman of the United Russia Party, Andrei
Isayev, stated that the measures proposed by
Uluyakayev go against Putin’s politics.
Russia: Luzhkov’s Pension Ten
Times Average Russian (September 30, 2010)
(Article in Russian)
Moscow’s ex-mayor Yuri Luzhkov’s severance package
will include a one-time payment of 3.3 million
rubles as well as a monthly pension 32.5 times that
of an average Russian. In addition to medical
insurance, other benefits include a mandatory
federal insurance of a 15-year monetary compensation
in case of injury to health or quality of life, free
trips to health spas, security for life, a country
estate and many more benefits. His family will
receive free medicine and dental care, and
discounted trips to health spas; in case of his
death they will receive a monthly pension five times
the basic amount.
Belgium: Mind the Gender Gap
When Reforming Pension! (September 30, 2010)
As the world experiences a time of turmoil regarding
national budgets, governments are searching for the
best places to make cuts in spending. One of the
areas considered frequently are federal pension
systems. In lieu of the October 1st International
Day of Older Persons, AGE Platform Europe urges the
EU to consider gender inequality when making these
decisions and how cuts in pensions would make the
grim situation of many older women even worse.
Ireland: Creative Solution
Needed before Pensions Crisis Gets Any Older
(September 29, 2010)
The Irish defined-benefit pension system is facing
financial crisis. Over the past 10 years, the cost
of funding defined-benefit pensions has doubled
while the average annual returns from investments
have been lower. The experts suggest that the
government needs to take urgent action to find an
alternative of annuity purchase for pension schemes.
United Kingdom: Rich Shun Retirement to
Stay in Work Longer (September 27, 2010)
In the UK, a culture of non-retirement has emerged
among the wealthy older population of workers. The
nation has found that 60% of older people who are
working do not necessarily intend to retire, as they
favor working as long as they are able.
Russia: Dmirtry Medvedev : The
basic approaches to the pension problem need to be
rethought. (24 September 2010)
(Article in Russian)
At his recent conference in Kursk on social welfare
for the elderly, Russia’s president Dmitry Medvedev
stated that a new approach is needed to solve the
pension problem. In addition to affirming that the
problem regarding a lack of pharmacies in small
communities is being resolved, he proposed building a
network of subsidized markets and creating television
channels catering to the elderly population.
Russia: Medvedev Confirms
List of “particularly important elderly people”
(September 23, 2010)
(Article in Russian)
Russia’s president Dmitri Medvedev signed a decree
that specifies the most important federal positions
from the Soviet days until today, and discusses their
pension allocation accordingly. Despite last year’s
20% increase in federal employees’ pension
allocations, the Pension Fund of the Russian
Federation states that the average federal retirement
pay today is only 10.949 thousand rubles.
Russia: About 350 thousand
residents of Moscow change to the co-financing of
pensions. (September 22, 2010)
(Article in Russian)
In Moscow, the number of participants in the federal
co-sponsored pension program has doubled within the
past year. The premium put aside in Russia’s capital
alone has grown to over 270 million rubles. One
incentive for people is a 13% tax refund on the amount
deposited.
Russia: Senior citizens will
once again be gladdened in 2011. (September 18,
2010)
(Article in Russian)
The question of the readjustment of pensions in Russia
in 2011 was once again discussed at the grand assembly
of the General Council of Federation of Independent
Trade Unions of Russia (ФНПР). The current average
retirement allowance per month is 8169 rubles. It was
back in July of 2010 that the Prime Minister of the
Russian Federation promised to increase pensions by
9%. Additionally, in response to the question of
raising the age of retirement, Mikhail Shmakov, the
head of ФНПР, stated that there is no basis for such a
move. This year welfare benefits will be given
priority of budgetary expenditures.
Latvia: Political Parties began
Manipulating Senior Citizens. (September 18,
2010)
(Article in Russian)
Senior citizens play an important role when it comes
to voting in Latvia. In addition to having a tradition
of voting, they vote regardless of the topic at hand.
Their vote began to carry even more leverage after
2006, when may of the nation’s able-bodied youth left
to Ireland and England to work. Politicians’ view of
their current target audience is reflected in the
continuous speeches made in regard to pension, health,
and public assistance. Experts believe that this is
just another form of manipulation. Latvia’s future,
for example, is a topic which greatly interests
retirees, but politicians do not address.
Romania: Premier
Boc: Pension Law, A Step Forward in Romanian
State’s Reform (September 17, 2010)
Recent pension system reform in Romania is a hopeful
step forward for the state. The new laws do away
with luxury pensions, the collect-as-you-pay
principle was enforced and it ensures medium- and
long-term support for pension budgets.
Romania: Parliament Passes
the Pensions’ Reform (September 16, 2010)
(Article in French)
In the context of a deep and growing deficit in the
public pension system, and under the pressure of the
UE, the World Bank and IMF, the Romanian DPs passed a
reform of the pension system. Under the new system,
the retirement age will increase gradually both for
women and men; the retirement age will increase to 65
years old for men by 2015 and for women by 2030.
France: The Pensions’ Reform =
Increase of Inequalities (September 15, 2010)
(Article in French)
In this article, this journalist takes a critical
stand on the key issue of the French pension reform.
He explains raising the legal retirement age from 60
to 62 will not solve the deficit problem and will
increase the inequalities between the private and
public employees. Indeed, in France, many civil
servants have a special status concerning retirement.
However, most of the reasons that justified the
creation of those status in the past are no longer
relevant. Therefore, the journalist advocates for
changing their special status rather than increasing
what seems to be an additional burden on workers in
the private sector.
Spain: Spain
Zapatero Warns of Pension Problems in 10-15 Years
(September 13, 2010)
(Article in Spanish)
There will be pension reform in Spain at the end of
2011. The reform was announced by President of Spain
Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, who said that in ten to
fifteen years the pension system of the welfare state
may face problems. "We must act, and we will do it,"
he said. The reform will increase the contribution
period used for calculating retirement pensions.
France: Pension Law Voted
(September 10, 2010)
(Article in French)
One of the high-profile measures of the extended
pension reform program envisioned by the French
government was passed in the National Assembly on
Friday, the 10th of September, establishing the
minimum legal pension age at 62, from the previous 60.
The previous law had been issued in 1983.
France: Poll Indicates that
Majority of the French is Against the New Pension
Reform (September 9, 2010)
(Article in French)
A poll conducted between the 7th and the 8th of
September on 1,012 people showed that 55% of those
interviewed declared themselves against the new
measure of increasing the minimum retirement age from
60 to 62. A recent mass strike had drawn even more
attention on the controversial matter.
France: Massive
Demonstration on the Streets of France for Pensions
(September 8, 2010)
(Article in Spanish)
More than a million people marched in France in the
fourth and largest protest this year against the
reform of the pension system. The government wants to
raise the minimum retirement age from 60 to 62 years.
The unions have announced that protests will continue
until the government changes its policy.
Belgium: Belgian
Presidency Conference on Pensions: Keep in Mind the
Impact of Pension on Atypical and Very Old Pensions
(September 7, 2010)
At a recent Belgium conference, attendees focused
specifically on why policy makers need to keep in mind
the specific impact of their decision on recipients’
pensions. The commission is proposing a European Year
2012 on Active Ageing that will suggest policies that
positively impact the daily lives of older adults
receiving pensions, in the present day and future.
France: French Strike Over
Pensions Age Bid (September 7, 2010)
The retirement age in France, ranking among the lowest
in Europe, may be raised from 60 to 62 years. The
government wants to raise the retirement age because
the state pension system’s funds are running low. The
Sarkozy government says that increasing the retirement
age will restore the state pension fund to fiscal
health by 2018. As French union workers took to the
streets, they shut down trains, planes, buses,
underground services, post offices and schools, making
clear their message to retain the current pension
age.
France: France Faces Angry
Protestors Over a Pension Law Reform (September 6,
2010)
(Article in Arabic)
France faces serious disruptions of train and plane
services due to the labor union strike which started
late on Monday protesting against plans to raise the
retirement age. Head of State Sarkozy mentioned he is
ready to make some concessions, but he would not stray
from the basics of his plan. He wants to raise the
minimum retirement age from 60 to 62 years old and the
age at which retirees receive a full pension from 65
to 67 years old.
Germany: Senior Giving FREE
Money to Pedestrians in German Marketplace Causes
Police to Interfere (September 4, 2010)
(Article in Arabic)
A generous senior citizen in the town of Aschaffenburg
located in the region of Bavaria was giving away free
money to people walking by in the marketplace.
Witnesses reported that the old man was not a beggar
but was rather wearing a suit and hat and was giving a
euro to whomever would take it. He wore a sign that
read, “I am not unemployed and I am not homeless. I
have a wife, I feel great and for that I would like to
offer you one euro.” Police took him away, fearful it
would cause a scene, but after explaining himself they
let him continue his generosity.
United Kingdom: A
Pension Coalition (September 2, 2010)
As the UK experiences economic strain, the coalition
government is using the situation to tackle key issues
related to providing public pensions. Eliminating the
compulsory retirement age of 65 years allows
individuals who may be more dependant on pensions to
work longer and therefore experience greater benefits
from pension income following their voluntary
retirement from the workforce. Some believe that these
new policies will help sustain the lives of retirees.
United Kingdom: The Elderly
in Western Countries Encouraged to Invest in Real
Estate Retirement Homes (August 28, 2010)
(Article in Arabic)
Western Governments often promote investments in real
estate and more specifically in retirement homes.
Other benefits of these projects include: Such homes
host older persons in one geographical location to
facilitate health care and take into account other
common needs. Older people can live a better life in
housing intended for them, without financial troubles
as they advance in age. In the UK, several villages
for the elderly provide such an environment, in
addition to group social areas to communicate with
each other and build friendships, and many more
activities in a safe environment.
Greece: The Dead are Still
Receiving Pensions (August 26, 2010)
(Article in French)
Greek authorities have discovered that more than 321
deceased citizens still receive their pensions.
Furthermore, 8,500 elderly people over 100 years old
are also getting pension payments while the country
has only registered 2,665 centenarians. Greek
authorities are investigating these potential
fraudulent payments.
France: French Farmers
Protest Against Low Pensions (August 20, 2010)
(Article in French)
Farmer association members from the southwest of
France are protesting against their small pensions in
Bergerac. They demanded a recalibration of their
pensions and pressed for equal pensions between men
and women, asking authorities to raise the average
farmer pension from 400 euros to 1,000 euros.
France: Senate Tempted
by German Pension Model (August 12, 2010)
(Article in French)
French Senators will refer to the German Pension
System when they amend the Pension Reform Plan this
autumn. Germany’s success in increasing the minimum
retirement age as well as raising retirees’ taxes
constitutes a model for the French. France will look
to pass on long-term structural reforms though its
legislation, based on gradual modifications.
United Kingdom: In 20 Years
A Quarter of Britain’s Population Will Be Retired
(August 9, 2010)
(Article in Arabic)
According to a study published in an official British
newspaper, the number of pensioners in Britain will
rise sharply over the next two decades until a quarter
of the country’s population will be above age 60. The
study warned that the rise in average age by 4o
percent over the past twenty-five years in addition to
the sharp rise in the number of retirees will be a
challenge to British society.
France: A Pension Reform
that Does not Erase the Bill (August 5, 2010)
(Article in French)
In spite of its promise, the French government could
encounter difficulties in getting the pension scheme
back to normal by 2018 because one of the most
important pension schemes is expected to have a 3.5
billion deficit in 2018, compromising the recovery. In
addition to this, out of the deficit of 45 billion, 15
billion could not be recovered because the official
pension fund is also in deficit. Therefore, it is
almost certain that the deficit will remain by
2018.
United Kingdom: Living Overseas
Could See Pension Cut in Half (August 3, 2010)
Experts recently warned pensioners that living outside
of the European Union could result in their pension
being cut in half. If an individual moves abroad
permanently, any increases in their UK state pension
will only apply if they are living in a European
economic area–including Gibraltar and Switzerland–or a
country with a reciprocal social security agreement
with Britain. People living outside these areas will
see their state pensions frozen at the amount
initially paid when they made their first claim.
United Kingdom: Britain Plans to
Scrap Mandatory Retirement Age in 2011 (July 29,
2010)
(Article in French)
The British government proposed to scrap a rule that
allows employers to require workers to retire when
they turn 65. If approved by Parliament, employers
would no longer be able to dismiss workers at age 65
without giving them a reason or without paying
severance, the British Department for Business,
Innovation and Skills said. The change is intended to
help Britain reduce its pension burden as people live
longer, and to allow people to keep working for
financial or social reasons. Yet, the Confederation of
British Industry, a business lobby, criticized the
government for not giving employers enough time to
adjust to the new rule.
Russia: Russian Pensions Will Increase by 9%
in 2011 (July 28, 2010)
(Article in Russian)
According to a recent announcement by Vladimir Putin,
Prime Minister of Russia, a government committee has
approved a pension increase in Russia beginning
February 2011. In 2010, the total increase in social
pensions was 12.51 percent, with the labor pension
increasing by 46.1 percent.
France: National Assembly to
Set Retirement Age at 60 (July 21, 2010)
(Article in French)
On July 21, the French National Assembly ratified a
measure to change the retirement age from 60 to 62
years. At the same time, MPs changed their retirement
age from 65 to 67 to receive a full pension. The
Socialist Party advocated the retirement age at 60
while spurring people on to work over this limit.
However, an amendment on the male-female parity has
been thrown out. Yet, many MPs warned that this new
system will disadvantage women as they are often
forced to stop working due to pregnancy.
Serbia: Pensioners Receive
Bonuses in September (July 20, 2010)
The Party of United Pensioners of Serbia (PUPS) stated
on July 20 that all pensioners with incomes up to RSD
14,000-15,000 will receive aid in the amount of RSD
5,000 (EUR 1= RSD 104) in September. Also, the Law on
Pension and Disability Insurance could be changed. The
government has already forwarded a draft law to the
Parliament.
Spain: How to Reform
Pensions without Cuts (July 18, 2010)
(Article in Spanish)
The aging population will increase pension
expenditures. The solution of European
governments--including Spain--to save the public
pension model is to delay the retirement age and make
cuts. In this article, a group of experts suggest
alternative proposals to sustain the pension system.
Russia: Increasing
Pension age Will not Resolve Budget Problems (July
15, 2010)
(Article in Russian)
Increasing the retirement age alone will not help to
resolve the Russian Federation’s budget deficit. The
author discusses other concurrent options
indispensable to addressing the deficit problems. He
suggests new retirement insurance schemes and also
educational courses for financial literacy/competence
offered to the population.
Russia: What is awaiting
Future Retirees? (July 15, 2010)
(Article in Russian)
How will increasing the retirement age affect the life
of future retirees? The author offers detailed
calculations on how gradually increasing the pension
age would lead to a decrease in the budget deficit,
but over a long time. In the end, the deficit problem
will increase because the additional work years will
also raise state pension obligations.
Russia: Speaker of
the State Duma Boris Gryslov Ready to Discuss
Retirement Age Increase in 10 years (July 15, 2010)
(Article in Russian)
Here are the opinions of a few top officials on
increasing the retirement age in the Russian
Federation. Boris Gryslov, the Vice-Speaker of the
State Duma, argues that increasing the retirement age
cannot be discussed prior to 2020, while the Head of
the Ministry of Finances, Alexei Kudrin, proposed a
5-year deadline for making a final decision.
Russia: Independent
Trade Unions against Increasing Retirement Age (July
8, 2010)
(Article in Russian)
Discussion about increasing the pension age is gaining
momentum in Russia. Officials say that a group of
qualified experts should decide on the issue; however
trade unions are demanding multilateral social and
economic research and wider discussion. They also
offer ideas for alternative organizational and
financial resources in order to further improve the
pension system without changing the retirement age.
Greece: Protests in
Greece Disrupt Public Services (July 7, 2010)
(Article in Arabic)
Greek trade unions organized a strike to protest the
pension reform policies imposed by the government
seeking to improve public finances. Due to these
strikes, nearly everyone expects major disruptions to
public services and transportation. The pension reform
imposes a full pension after forty years of service as
opposed to 37 years, cuts retirement pensions by seven
percent, and changes the retirement age to 65.
Russia: Mess on the
Market of Mandatory Retirement Insurance (July 7,
2010)
(Article in Russian)
When the Pension Fund of Russia sent letters notifying
Russian citizens about the status of their
retirement’s funds, many discovered that their
retirement money had been moved from state companies
to private funds. The article discusses fraudulent
schemes, consequences, and necessary measures to avoid
scams.
Ireland: Irish Have
Smallest Pensions in Europe (July 7, 2010)
According to a report by the Organization for Economic
Co-operation and Development, Irish people retire
later than others in the EU. However, the country has
the smallest pensions of all 31 OECD countries due to
a low number of private pension schemes. The economic
crisis has exacerbated the problem. To deal with it,
the Irish government has launched a new pension
system, requiring workers to contribute up to 4% of
their incomes.
France : Church to get
Better Retirement Pensions (July 5, 2010)
(Article in French)
The Catholic Church faces a problem with its pension
system. Several former priests lodged a complaint
against the Church and demanded a better retirement
pension. For the most part, these priests belonged to
the Church before 1979, the year when it joined the
Social Security system. In some cases, priests`
retirement pensions reach up to 300 euros. They are
asking the Catholic officials to take into account
their years of training to calculate the amount of
their retirement pension.
Europe: European
Commission Advocates an Increased Retirement Age in
the EU (July 5, 2010)
(Article in French)
The European Commission advocates increasing the years
required to work before retirement throughout the EU.
This measure would relieve public finances and pension
funds of the countries, already damaged by the
economic crisis. The Commission reports that life
expectancy has dramatically increased and could
continue to increase until 2060. At the same time,
fertility rates are low. Throughout Europe there are
four actively employed persons for each 65-year-old or
more persons in Europe this year (2010).There will be
only two active workers for one retiree by 2060. Under
these conditions, the Commission recommends extending
the period of employment.
Russia: Advice on How to
Increase Pension Savings with the Help of the State
(June 29, 2010)
(Article in Russian)
Last year, 2.6 million people in Russia were attracted
to the State’s new program of co-financing pensions.
The program which is regulated by federal law
encourages participants to contribute towards future
pensions. The State doubles each payment amount and
the funds may be invested in the stock market. The
authors assume that it will increase pension savings.
But there’s no guarantee.
Russia: Kudrin: We Have 5
Years to Resolve the Issue of Pension Age (June 29,
2010)
(Article in Russian)
Russian authorities continue to debate how to increase
the pension age in Russia. They are focusing less
on whether such an increase should happen, but more on
when it should happen. The head of the Ministry of
Finances, Aleksey Kudrin, argues that the State will
not be able to maintain a sufficient pension level for
future retirees without raising the pension age.
Russia: The Pension Fund of Russia Has Opened an
Online Service for Russians Living Abroad (June 29,
2010)
(Article in Russian)
The Pension Fund of Russia has made it easier for
Russian citizens living abroad to access necessary
information and to send them inquiries regarding
pensions. Now Russian retirees are able to find the
answers they seek by communicating online about their
pension status. The article also contains information
on rules and restrictions for using the online
service.
Russia: Retirement with
Privileges: Retired Governors Are not Willing to
Change Their Lifestyle (June 29, 2010)
(Article in Russian)
In the middle of ongoing debates on retirement age and
budget deficits, the Government of Russia introduced a
bill in the Duma (Russian Parliament) to increase the
benefits of retired deputies and senators. Not only
will retired officials enjoy more than a 100 percent
salary to pension ratio, but they will also keep many
of their current social and political privileges. The
article offers a comparison of the benefits between
Russian and US high-ranking state officials.
Russia: In July Russians
Will Receive “Letters of Happiness” Following
Results of the Russian Federation Pension Fund for
2009 (June 28, 2010)
(Article in Russian)
Beginning July 2010, Russian citizens will have a new
opportunity to keep a record of their pension savings.
The Russian Pension Fund of Russia will send out
so-called “letters of happiness” to 70 million people
containing data on their current pension status from
July 1 to September 1, 2010. Details regarding sources
and amount of payments made towards future pensions
along with traditional information will be included in
the letter.
Greece: Greece Unveils
Pension Reform Plans (June 26, 2010)
After avoiding a default on its debt, Greece is trying
to rebuild its pension system. Among the changes
unveiled, the Greek government proposed increasing the
minimum age of retirement to 65 years and setting the
contribution age for a full pension at 40 years,
instead of 35 years for some Greeks now. These
measures have led to growing discontent and unions are
calling for a strike in protest.
France: Lagarde: “The Retirement Reform is Fair”
(June 25, 2010)
(Article in French)
Following the June 24 national strike protesting
changes in the retirement system, the French Minister
of Finance Christine Lagarde stated that the reform
was fair and necessary. Recalling that the
labor-management dialogue will continue, she also
stated that taxes would be imposed on persons with
high incomes and large returns on capital. She called
for boosting senior employment.
Spain: The Stress of
Retirement (June 25, 2010)
(Article in Spanish)
Retirement is not always easy. After years of hard
work, adapting to a new lifestyle is complicated and
many times stressful. Experts recommend preparing for
retirement over a period of time, thinking ahead about
day-to-day activities, while carefully preparing for
financial security.
United Kingdom: State
Pension Age Could Rise to 66 for Men as Early as
2016 (June 24, 2010)
The United Kingdom’s government will increase the
state pension age for men to 66 as early as 2016.
Moreover, the government is currently considering
bringing forward a rise to age 68 to "be fair to the
next generation of taxpayers." Men aged 59 will now be
the first affected as women will experience a gradual
increase of their state pension age from age 60 to 65
by 2020.
France: Retirement Age at 62: The Quadruple Penalty
(June 24, 2010)
(Article in French)
According to the author of this article, increasing
the retirement age from 60 to 62 years will penalize
the poorest. The writer believes that retirement is
not a demographic problem but a problem related to
employment. The author calls into question the meaning
of work, along with increasing senior employment. The
question of retirement should be an opportunity to
rethink the aims of society.
France: A Raise in Contribution Length to Bring
Together Efficiency and Equity (June 24, 2010)
(Article in French)
Two French economics professors reassess the
government’s pension reform in this editorial from the
newspaper Le Monde. Although they believe that raising
the retirement age will provoke an increase in
seniors’ employment rate, the professors argue for
increasing the contribution period to avoid
disadvantaging people who started working early.
Russia: Russian Social
Pension To Increase 3.41% in July (June 22, 2010)
(Article in Russian)
Vladimir Putin, Prime Minister of Russia, signed a
decree to increase the social pension by 3.41%
beginning July 1, 2010. At the moment, approximately
2.5 million Russian citizens receive social pensions.
Russia: Government
Not Likely to Up Retirement Age Until 2015 (June 22,
2010)
Although the government is unlikely to increase the
retirement age until 2015, officials are considering
such a change in their long-term policy direction. To
know how many pensioners are willing to accept a
longer journey to retirement, the government is
willing to offer a new option: the longer a person
works, the higher that person's pension will be.
Critics, however, find the new policy may in fact
cause the Pension Fund's deficit to grow.
Russia: Two Citations
from Top Officials Regarding Increasing Pension Age
(June 20, 2010)
(Article in Russian)
How do top Russian officials calculate whether the
citizens are ready to accept an increase in the
pension age? This article critiques the way officials
arrive at convenient conclusions about increasing the
Russian retirement age in Russia while covering up the
pitfalls of their current policies.
Russia: Russia
Cannot Abandon Distributive Pension Scheme (June 18,
2010)
(Article in Russian)
The Petersburg Economic Forum took place last Friday
in Saint-Petersburg, Russian Federation, to discuss
the future of the pension system in Russia. Along with
some radical proposals for a complete shift to a
savings system, some experts expressed doubts about
the necessity of abandoning the distributive scheme of
the pension system. The head of the pension fund in
Russia, Anton Drozdov, believes that a better
alternative to the current system does not yet exist.
Russia: Aging on
Credit: Authorities Offer to Transfer Funded Part of
Pension to Citizens (June 10, 2010)
(Article in Russian)
The Ministry of the Russian Federation will transfer
the part of the pension that currently belongs to the
state to its citizens. The population will be able to
use the transferred portion for immediate needs in
housing and medical care. Experts claim that the
initiative will revive the housing market and widen
people's perspective of the possibilities of the
current pension system.
Czech Republic: Pension Reform
Draft Proposes Lower Contributions, Individual
Accounts (June 10, 2010)
The Czech Republic’s aging population is raising
issues around pensions. Politicians and experts alike
agree that the country's current pay-as-you-go system
will inevitably lead to higher deficits. Consequently,
the government charged a commission to draft a pension
reform, and the conclusions were presented on June 9.
The main reforms include lowering pension
contributions by individuals from 28 to 23 percent of
gross wages, retiring at a later age, and setting up
individual pension savings accounts. The center-right
government wants to follow the risky path that saw big
pension losses in the 2008 financial collapse in the
US and elsewhere.
Europe: Retirement, A Goal More
Difficult to Reach in Europe (June 7, 2010)
(Article in Spanish)
Europeans are witnessing their pension systems under
threat due to the current financial crisis. The
proportion of people in the workforce in the EU over
65 years of age will be 53% in 2060, according to
Eurostat, the European statistics agency. The vast
majority of European countries are considering
increasing the retirement age to achieve pension
savings. Unions are reacting with hostility and assert
that the reforms will be particularly burdensome to
the poor and public employees.
Russia: Head
of the Pension Fund of Russia Says Increasing
Retirement Age Will Have Zero Effect (June 6, 2010)
(Article in Russian)
At present the retirement age in Russia is 60 years
for men and 55 years for women. Proponents of the
proposed reform emphasize the necessity to increase
the retirement age. However according to Anton
Drozdov, the head of the Pension Fund of Russia,
increasing the retirement age will have zero
effect.
Russia: Increasing
Pension Age: Pro and Con (June 5, 2010)
(Article in Russian)
Russian policymakers looked at the current budget
deficit in the Pension Fund of Russia and have set off
a discussion to increase the pension age in Russia.
Experts point out that the retirement age in Russia is
below world standards and are suggesting a 5 to 10
year increase in the pension age. Opponents emphasize
that the average length of retirement and the health
of the population are more important criteria for
making decisions.
Russia: License for One of the Ten Biggest Non-State
Pension Funds is Recalled (June 4, 2010)
(Article in Russian)
Following planned inspections in the non-state pension
fund, “Rus,” the Federal Service for Financial Markets
(FSFM) and the Audit Chamber discovered a series of
violations that the fund managers have apparently
committed. As a consequence, FSFM has recalled a
license for the fund, one of the ten biggest non-state
pension funds.
France: Age of
Retirement at 60: An Illusion (June 3, 2010)
(Article in French)
Laurence Parisot, President of the Main Trade
Association of French Entrepreneurs (MEDEF),
strongly criticizes the decision of the French
government made 30 years ago to lower the retirement
age 60 years. According to her, this measure has led
to the retirement problems that France now faces.
Parisot advocates the return of the retirement age
to 65 years.
United Kingdom: Workers Set
To Sue for 'Robbed' Pensions (June 3, 2010)
Thousands of workers at Visteon, a former car parts
firm based in north London, are close to taking legal
action to recover pensions worth millions of pounds
"robbed" from them when the company closed. Their
union, Unite, threatens legal action; the workers
believe court action is imminent.
Europe: European
Commission Recommends Raising Retirement Age (May
28, 2010)
(Article in French)
The European Commission has apparently recommended
that member states , push back the retirement age in
Europe. The average retirement age is now slightly
higher than age 60. The president of the European
commission, Jose Manuel Barroso, believes deep pension
reforms are needed in the European Union to face the
increases in life expectancy.
United Kingdom: Government
Plans Overhaul of Benefits System (May 27, 2010)
Iain Duncan Smith, Secretary of State for Work and
Pensions, has proposed welfare reform to address and
alleviate large budget deficits. Annually, Britain
spends over £200 billion, 14% of Britain's gross
domestic product, to provide benefits such as
unemployment compensation, worker disability, and
government retirement benefits.
Europe: A Promise That Will
Be Broken (May 26, 2010)
The Economist interviewed Andrew Moss, top executive
of European insurer Aviva, regarding Western Europe's
pension challenges. He believes that countries in the
region cannot afford public sector pensions and that
Australia should be a model for Europe. In the 1980's,
its government compelled people to contribute to
personal pension plans. According to him, because many
Europeans will not get the state pensions they are
expecting, the only answer is to create more pension
funding by private insurers like his.
France: French Government’s
Agenda for Reform Becomes Clear (May 25, 2010)
(Article in French)
Although the French government claims it has not
decided how it will configure pension reforms, its
agenda for reform is apparent. The author of this
article states that French citizens will work longer
due to raising the retirement age to 63 years. Also,
discrepancies between the public and the private
sectors will be harmonized; higher incomes will be
taxed to finance the reform.
United Kingdom: What the
Coalition Agreement means for Pensions and Older
People (May 20, 2010)
In England, the Tory-Liberal Democratcoalition has
detailed its plans for moving pensions forward.
Lawmakersdecided to restore the earnings link to the
basic state pension and to establish an independent
commission to review the long-term affordability of
public sector pensions. Moreover, the government will
phase out the default retirement age and simplify the
rules related to pensions.
France: Five Myths that
Prevent Pension Reform (May 19, 2010)
(Article in French)
Many feel that the debate around pension reform in
France is sometimes biased because of inaccurate data
or false ideas. For instance, some citizens believe
there is no problem while others think that it is
possible to solve the issue by increasing taxes on
wages. Still others think that the French government
should change the pension system to a private one.
This article reminds us that no simple solution
exists: the system must be changed to become more
inclusive and the employment rate for people over 60
must be increased.
Russia: Pension Fund of
Russia Transfers 2.5 Billion Rubles to State
Management Company (May 17, 2010)
(Article in Russian)
The Pension Fund of Russia transferred 2.5 billion
rubles for citizens participating in the state program
to co-finance future pensions of companies and
non-state pension funds.
Russia: Pensioners in Shorts
(May 17, 2010)
(Article in Russian)
The Russian Health Administration is putting older
persons’ finances at risk by investing government
pensions in stocks. This new practice is extremely
risky under any circumstances, especially for
inexperienced persons. Competent investors take into
account the age and health of the pensioner as well as
many other issues in the economic climate.
Ireland: Workers Told to Put a
Sixth of Wages Towards Pension (May 14, 2010)
Workers starting a pension have been warned they need
to contribute at least a sixth of their weekly wage if
they want a pension worth two-thirds of their salary
on retirement. Speaking at a Dublin conference on
pensions, a number of experts predicted many people
will have to continue working well into their
retirement years.
Russia: Miner Pensioners
Will Receive Additional 9,000 Rubles (May 12, 2010)
(Article in Russian)
Beginning in the second quarter of this year, retired
miners will receive a pension surcharge averaging
around 9,000 rubles. The Russian President recently
signed a new federal law on “supplementary social
security organizations of certain employee categories
within the coal industry."
Spain: Spain to Freeze State
Pensions in 2011 (May 12, 2010)
The Spanish government leaders have decided to freeze
state pensions for 2010 as part of a package of
measures aimed at reducing the country's deficit and
to send positive signals to markets. The government’s
decision to eliminate current rules will allow workers
to retire before reaching retirement age in certain
circumstances. Spain's announcements follow Greece's
decision to cut pensions as part of a package of
austerity and reform, measures which have been
demanded by the EU and the International Monetary
Fund. Why are older people the target? Surely the
richest in the country could afford to pay more taxes.
France: Retirement at
60...or Unemployment at 50? (May 12, 2010)
(Article in French)
Bertrand Delanoë, the socialist mayor of the city
of Paris, has denounced the hypocrisy of the French
government regarding pension reforms. He reminds the
public that French seniors are more worried about
keeping their jobs until they are 60 years old than
about stopping work at 60. In France, only 38.3
percent of people over 50 were employed in 2008.
Delanoë considers that this fact has to be taken
into account in pension reform, and that employment of
seniors has to be a priority and a precondition to any
reform. He proposes creating a fiscal system that
encourages firms to employ seniors as well as allowing
them better access to professional opportunities.
Greece: Athens Considers
Severely Reducing Pensions (May 11, 2010)
(Article in French)
The Greek government adopted its new pension reforms
on May 10. It is one of the most austere measures
taken, following the financial crisis. Retirees have
already suffered a decline of 15% of their income; now
the government plans to drop up to 20% of pensions
provided by former state-owned enterprises.
Greece: Greece Makes Harsh
Social Security Cuts (May 11, 2010)
Greece, faced with a national debt crisis, has cut
pension payments and raised the retirement age. Some
Greeks are facing 14 percent cuts in their retirement
benefits and all pensioners will take a three-year
freeze. Spain and France were also generous pension
payers but the debt crises have pushed their
governments to similar decisions forfiscal austerity
on the backs of older persons.
Ireland: Key Pension
Elements of Croke Park Deal Dropped in Ireland (May
7, 2010)
In May 2010, The Irish government decided not to
implement pension reform proposals for public servants
in an effort to win support for the Croke Park pay
deal. In an apparent U-turn on proposals set out by
the Minister for Finance in the budget, the review
will not be implemented until after December 2014.
Currently pension increases for retired public
servants are based on salary rises awarded to them in
the position they previously held.
France: Retirement
Among French Public Servants Slowed Down by 16% Last
Year (May 5, 2010)
(Article in French)
The number of French public servants who retired
decreased by 16% in 2009. According to the French
government, this phenomenon is due to the 2003 pension
reforms. Clearly, it is also linked to the economic
crisis to some extent, and may not endure. This
slowdown in retirement in the public sphere could
complicate preparation of the 2011 budget.
Ukraine: Pensioners
Get Pension Increase in May (May 5, 2010)
(Article in Russian)
Prime Minister Mykola Azarov charged the Ministry of
Labour and Social Policy with the task of
recalculating pensions and salaries in response to the
increase in social standards, according to Ukraine’s
parliament known as the Verkhovnaya Rada, which
adopted the state budget for 2010.
Lithuania: Pensioners are
Suing (May 5, 2010)
(Article in Russian)
Claims by about twenty Lithuanian pensioners are
hitting the courts. “Retirees are demanding the return
of their pensions,” stated Algimantas Myadyalis,
president of the Association of Defenders of
Constitutional Rights.
Greece: Greece to Reform
Pensions as Part of Bailout Agreement (May 4, 2010)
Greece has pledged to undertake a pensions overhaul as
part of the structural reforms agreed with its
partners in the Eurozone and the International
Monetary Fund (IMF) in exchange for a €110bn
(US$144bn) rescue package. The Greek government
announced a comprehensive pension reform, which would
include curtailing provisions for early retirement.
Moreover, public employees' pensions will be frozen
for three years. In addition, pension payments of
Christmas, Easter and summer bonuses will be
abolished.
Ukraine: A Regional
Party Is Demanding Immediate Recalculations of
Pensions from the Government (May 1, 2010)
(Article in Russian)
The Party of Regions demands the Cabinet of Ministers
of Ukraine to immediately implement the recalculation
of pensions. "In the sphere of social policy of
Ukraine, there are once again many alarming
tendencies. They are accompanied by the failure of the
laws and cruel deception of millions of Ukrainian
citizens", -As stated by the press service.
Ukraine: There Are
Talks of Raising the Retirement Age in the Ukraine
(April 30, 2010)
(Article in Russian)
“Addressing the balance of the Ukrainian Pension Fund
is one of the priorities that would require unpopular
measures,” according to First Deputy Head of
Presidential Administration Irina Akimova.
France: France Girds
Itself for Pension Reform (April 30, 2010)
(Article in French)
French President Nicolas Sarkozy is bringing pension
reform to the forefront of his agenda. The economic
downturn has accelerated France's pension crisis
exponentially. Sarkozy must send a strong signal to
markets and to Brussels that France is serious about
debt reduction, with clear, substantial reform. He
could start by boosting the legal retirement age to
above 60. France is the last country in Western Europe
to maintain the legal retirement age at 60; most other
countries have changed it to age 65.
France: Pensions: Reforms
Already Defined, According to a Majority of French
(April 30, 2010)
(Article in French)
A majority (74%) of the French people think the debate
about pension reform is useless; the government has
already defined the more important points of the
reform, according to an IFOP survey. Only 35% of
people interrogated believe that the pension debate
allows those most affected to defend their point of
view equitably.
Russia: Who Stole
Pensioners' Billions? (April 22, 2010)
(Article in Russian)
Law enforcement authorities arrested suspects
attempting to steal 1.2 billion rubles from Pension
Fund accounts. This high-profile crime occurred on
November 13 of last year. Fortunately, the pensioners'
money was not transferred overseas.
Russia: Putin:
Russia Increases Pensions at a Critical Financial
Period (April 20, 2010)
(Article in Russian)
“Russia- the only country in the world that decide to
conduct a pension reform with a result of increasing
pensions, during a critical financial period”. This
opinion is held by the Prime Minister who is also the
leader of a "United Russia" party.
United Kingdom: Friends
'More Important Than Family' In Retirement (April
15, 2010)
University of Greenwich researchers suggest that
friends, not family, are the key to a happy
retirement. Having grandchildren can be great but
along with that comes substantial childcare
responsibilities. In fact, research for the advocacy
group, Grandparent Plus, suggests that a fourth of
families call on grandparents for childcare. Overall,
seniors with strong social networks interviewed for
the study were 30% more satisfied with their lives
than those without them.
France: Beyond Pension Reform,
France's 'Age Revolution' Must Succeed (April 14,
2010)
(Article in French)
In this editorial, Martine Aubry, the first secretary
of France's Socialist Party, gives her point of view
regarding pensions and the elderly in France. She
believes that France has to make a success of the age
revolution by bringing an end to stigmatization and
the exclusion of older people from the rest of
society. She pleads to maintain the retirement age at
60. Aubry wants people to be aware of older people's
potential as well as their specific needs.
Ukraine: A Gift from
Yanukovych Awaits the Pensioners: the Lowest Pension
Amount Will Rise (April 14, 2010)
(Article in Russian)
The Ukraine Cabinet of Ministers plans to increase
pensions for more than one million retirees. According
to the Prime Minister of Ukraine Mykola Yanovych
Azarov, the government is consistently fulfilling its
duties concerning poverty, an issue that the President
has assigned to it.
Russia: Pensioners
Will Replace Gastarbeiters (April 13, 2010)
(Article in Russian)
In some occupations retirees can not be replaced! One
of the developers from Moscow declared that he
recently asked a former worker, who has been retired
for 5 years, to come back to his post of Chief
Engineer. His replacement, a recent graduate was good
when he had to "deal" with the inspectors and local
authorities. But when an onsite accident happened, it
became clear that the retired employee had a much
better understanding of the intricacies of the
construction business.
Ukraine: Pensions Might
Be Cut for Working Pensioners (April 13, 2010)
(Article in Russian)
The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine decided that
reducing the deficit of the Pension Fund may be
possible by reducing the pensions given to currently
employed pensioners.
Belarus: Pensioners
Ashamed of their Poverty (April 12, 2010)
(Article in Russian)
Even if a pensioner does not smoke or drink, maintains
good health and is extremely conservative with
spending, it is virtually impossible to survive
depending solely on pension payments.
France: Retirement Age and
Amount of Pensions Provides a Key to Understanding
(April 12, 2010)
(Article in French)
Pension reform faces many pivotal challenges. The
lengthening of life expectancy, as well as the
France’s low population renewal rate has plunged
pensions into a structural deficit. In 2007, the Board
of Retirement Guidance estimated 24.8 billion euros as
the annual amount required to finance it in 2020 and
68.8 billion euros in 2050. It is predicted that
pension amounts will diminish more and more in coming
generations.
France: 56% Against an Extension
of the Retirement Age (April 12, 2010)
(Article in French)
According to an April 12 poll, a majority of French
people don't want the retirement age raised beyond the
current age of 60 years old. Some 56% express their
opposition while 39% support such a measure, and 5%
have no opinion. Among the opponents, 38% claim to be
ready to show their disagreement by striking. The poll
showed that "left" voters, workers and employees in
the public sector would be more willing to oppose
extending the retirement age than would more "right"
voters who tend to be managers and employees in the
private sector.
France: Beginning Pension
Reform April 12 (April 9, 2010)
(Article in French)
Consultations between the French government and trade
unions about the pension reform will start on April
12. The government will reveal the content of this
reform in June. But, it appears clear that it will
include an extension of working years for the
employed. To the contrary, trade unions ask to
maintain the retirement age at 60 years of age.
Pensions in the public sector will be discussed
separately from pensions in the private sector.
Russia: A Raise in Retirement
Age May Happen After 2020 (April 9, 2010)
(Article in Russian)
It is too early to talk about raising the retirement
age, says the chairman of the State Duma, Andrey
Isaev. “We can come back to this topic around 2020.”
He also stated, “The challenge is to ensure a life
expectancy of at least 75 years. If that is achieved,
only then we can talk about raising the retirement
age.”
Russia: Military Pensioners
Cheated (April 8, 2010)
(Article in Russian)
Pensioners and war veterands have swamped a Russian
real estate agency with angry letters. They all have
the same complaint: extremely low pensions from the
government. “Our country's leaders have been promising
a 7% pension increase to begin on January 1, 2010, for
two whole years now. Why lie to the people?” said a
colonel from Stavropol, Ivan Sukhorukov.
Russia: Military Pensioners
Cheated (April 8th, 2010)
(Article in Russian)
A Russian real estate agency is swamped with angry
letters from pensioners and war veterans. They all
have the same complaint: extremely low pensions from
the government. “Our country’s leaders have been
promising a 7% pension increase to happen on January
1st 2010, for two whole years now. Why lie to the
people?” – said a colonel from Stavropol, Ivan
Sukhorukov.
Russia: People are Ready
to Die Before Retirement (April 8, 2010)
(Article in Russian)
The retirement age may be raised. Presidential
Assistant Arkady Dvorkovich believes that will happen.
Yet, if the retirement age is raised, most men will
not survive to experience the happy event called
retirement.
France: Pension: Call for
Citizen Mobilization (April 7, 2010)
(Article in French)
The Copernic Foundation and the anti-globalization
association ATTAC launched a petition on April 7 to
protest the French government's pension reform. They
believe that this reform will condemn many retired
people to poverty; they propose to increase the tax on
company revenues to solve the problem instead of
making people work longer. A well-known French
sociologist and some influential politicians signed on
to the protest.
United Kingdom: CBI Demands
Probe of Public Sector Pensions (April 6, 2010)
Soon after the increase in the qualifying age for
workers standing to gain "non-revised"
(non-contributory) public sector pensions by the
Scottish Chambers of Commerce, business leaders
demanded that the next government embark on a probe of
public sector pension costs.
Russia: Pensioners of Primorye
are Becoming Victims of Crimes (April 5, 2010)
(Article in Russian)
Primorsky Krai seems to favor different robberies,
especially robberies of apartments. What seems to be
most surprising is the fact that most of the apartment
robberies happen with “ease of free access”. That
means that the doors or windows through which robbers
get in are unlocked. The elderly appear most often to
be the victims of such crimes.
Ukraine: Good News for
Ukrainian Pensioners (April 4, 2010)
(Article in Russian)
The retirement age in Ukraine will not be raised in
the year 2010. The government currently sees no need
for such action. According to media sources, Vasily
Ndraga, Ukraine's Minister of Labour and Social
Policy, announced this development.
Ireland:
Elderly Rights Group to Oppose Raise in Pension Age
(March 29, 2010)
One of Ireland's largest elder rights groups has
warned it will fight the government's plan to raise
the pension age to 68 by 2028 and demands a stop to
any further cuts in benefits. The Irish Senior
Citizens' Parliament (ISCP), an umbrella body with 436
affiliated organizations representing 100,000 members,
said yesterday that the government's pension policy
was "unfair." The age at which people qualify for the
state pension will increase over time--to 66 years in
2014, 67 in 2021 and 68 in 2028--under the
government's policy proposal published this month.
United Kingdom: The State
Pension Revolution (March 27, 2010)
On April 6 of 2010, the state pension system will
change in the UK. This article emphasizes the major
changes that this reform will cause and their
consequences on men and women. Thus, for instance, the
journalist explains that the age at which women can
choose to start claiming their state pension will
gradually rise from 60 to 65 so it will match the
state pension age for men by 2020. And, after, from
2024 to 2046 the state pension age will rise gradually
again for everyone – both men and women – from 65 to
68 years. Besides, the way people qualify for a state
pension is changing: the number of "qualifying years"
is being cut to just 30 for both sexes.
Georgia: Georgian
Opposition Accuses Authorities of Using Pensioners
for Elections (March 26, 2010)
(Article in Russian)
The Georgian
opposition to the current government has raised new
allegations against the authorities of the country.
The Conservative Party of Georgia filed a complaint
with the mayor of Tbilisi, with the accusation that
the City Council uses programs created especially
for senior citizens for its own electoral purposes.
Europe:
Pension Funds Mix it up to Tackle Longevity (March
25, 2010)
On top of the shock of the worst market crisis in
generations, western European pension funds are
wrestling with the fundamental test posed by the
highest levels of life expectancy in history. If
they are to provide for a post-retirement population
that on current projections could make up nearly
one-third of the total by 2050, one thing is clear
to the author: shunning risk is not an option.
Russia: Grandmother Online
(March 24, 2010)
(Article in Russian)
An information form
called “Senior” was given out to the people of St.
Petersburg. Considering that every fourth person in
St. Petersburg is an older person, the form had to
capture the precise interests of older persons. The
survey showed It a big demand for computer literacy
courses. Because of this, the government created a
program was called “Grandmother Online.”
Unfortunately, the great popularity of this program
has created a long list of older persons who are
waiting to get started on the computer.
Russia: The Demographic
Aging of the Two Capitals Has Gone Far (March 18,
2010)
(Article in Russian)
Saint Petersburg is recognized as a demographically
aging city. Every fourth person living there is a
pensioner. City authorities have begun to pay
attention to data that Senior Researcher Sergei Vasin
at the Institute of Demography of the Higher School of
Economics has produced.
United Kingdom:
European Court Deals Blow to Expat UK Pensioners
(March 17, 2010)
On Tuesday, the European Court of Human Rights ruled
by a majority of eleven to six that the British
government had not breached its citizens’ human rights
by failing to "up-rate" their pensions to bring them
into line with the cost of living. Under British
rules, pensioners in a number of countries who do not
have reciprocal agreements with the UK receive the
same pension they were entitled to in the year they
left Britain. People who emigrated before retirement
age receive the amount they would have received at
retirement age in the UK. Aging expatriates who have
seen their pensions dwindle due to inflation and the
falling value of the pound have campaigned for change.
Ukraine: Ukrainian
Pensioners Might Be Left Without Pensions (March 15,
2010)
(Article in Russian)
The shocking deficit of money in the Ukrainian Pension
Fund (29.8 billion grivnas) is forcing retirees to
think about what will happen when they return home
with no pensions. Technically, the government should
think about how to solve the problems of both the
budget and the pension fund. According to the
analytical department of the Academy of Trading
Masterforex-V, finding a solution to the Ukraine
pension problems will be the main task for its new
President, V. Yanukovch.
United Kingdom: Parents
'Postponing Retirement' (March 14, 2010)
According to a recent study carried out by The
Children's Mutual, more than half of parents with 18-
to 30-year-old children said they had 'no choice' but
to retire later. Indeed, parents of today's young
adults face a difficult choice: secure their
retirement or fund their children's futures, because
they can't afford both.
France: Just Named Minister
of Work and Public Service, Eric Woerth Works on
Pension Reform (March 12, 2010)
(Article in French)
On March 23, the new Minister of Work and Public
Service, Eric Woerth, promised to work on a
'protector' pension reform. He wants it to be fair so
French citizens will accept it.
Russia: Money Will Be
Printed for Retirees (March 9, 2010)
(Article in Russian)
Starting April 1, the Russian government is raising
the pension payment by 6.3%. As explained by the Prime
Minister, “ the social responsibility of government to
the people means the implementation of all its
commitments. This increase was previously agreed on.
The Government must fulfill that promise.”
Azerbaijan: There are More
Women Pensioners in Azerbaijan than Men (March 5,
2010)
(Article in Russian)
The number of people receiving retirement pensions in
Azerbaijan is rising. There are three types of
pensions a retiree can receive: labor retirement
pension, disability pension and loss of breadwinner
pension. According to an Azerbaijani law, any person
who is entitled to any of these pensions, at their
request shall be eligible to only one of those
three.
France: The Stolen
Pension (March 5, 2010)
(Article in French)
Some French citizens can't retire because their
employers did not contribute to their pensions. Even
though this practice is illegal, the problem does not
attract the attention of French politicians. In this
article, the journalist advocates for organizing
regular meetings between employer and employee to
review pension contributions. The writer also believes
that employers who break the law should be severely
punished by paying a steep fine.
France: Retirees'
Standard of Living: Some Progress But Not For All
(February 23, 2010)
(Article in French)
On February 24, retirees will demonstrate to demand an
increase in their pension and health care coverage.
Although the standard of living of retirees is better
than it was 30 years ago, many live just above the
poverty line. The major French unions are calling for
an increase in the annual pension, it has been based
on inflation rather than on salary since 1993.
France: Pensions,
Preconceived Notions and Real Issues (February 16,
2010)
(Article in French)
In this article, the author reviews the preconceived
notions and challenges of retirement and pensions.
Most European governments tend either to increase
working hours or reduce pensions. Thus, in France, the
contribution's length has been extended and the
calculation base changed over the past few years. And
yet, pension funds are still in deficit.
Europe: Recession
Encourages European States to Reform Pensions
(February 9, 2010)
(Article in French)
Because of the economic crisis, many European
countries are planning to change their pension
systems. In fact, most governments started to make
changes before the crisis, but the recession has sped
up the process. Among the measures being considered
are increasing the legal retirement age and rethinking
the allocation between public and private pensions.
Belarus: Increase in Pension
Age. Who Needs That? (February 8, 2010)
(Article in Russian)
Women of Belarus retire at the age of 55, men at age
60. The numbers of people eligible for physical work
are decreasing while the numbers of retirees are as
high as ever.The situation of the Belarus pension fund
is becoming critical. If nothing is done, by the year
2050, for every 100 physically active workers there
will be 90 workers who are over the retirement age.
Therefore nine out of ten workers will not be eligible
to work. Experts insist that one of the ways to
prevent this from happening is to increase the
retirement age for both men and women.
United Kingdom: How to Tackle Pensioner Poverty
(January 28, 2010)
Although there has been a formidable decline in the
number of pensioners living in poverty in the last ten
years, there are still 2 million penurious pensioners.
The government's system of 'means-tested benefits' is
not effectively relieving the pensioned aged from
their plight. The benefits are complicated and have
not been easily accessed by some. A critical look at
the means-tested system is necessary to abate the
poverty of pensioners.
United Kingdom:
Retirement Age Should be Scrapped (January 28, 2010)
A report by the Equality and Human Rights Commission
suggests that the retirement age should be abolished.
Employment policies should address the issues of aging
working Britons and should increase working
opportunities beyond the default retirement age.
Workers of pension age contribute not only to the
quality of the workforce and to their employers but
also to the economy.
United Kingdom:
Inequality Figures Show Why Plaid’s Pension Policy
Is Desperately Needed (January 27, 2010)
Plaid Cymru suggests a proper universal living pension
policy that will dramatically aid the most suffering
pensioners. Citing a report by the National Equality
Panel, Cymru criticises both Labour and Conservative
governments for widening the gap between rich and poor
and devising pension plan policies that are blind to
the realities for hard working people.
Kazakhstan: Retirees are
Making a Choice (January 20, 2010)
(Article in Russian)
The pension system in Kazakhstan is very insecure.
Those retirees who rely on the regular national
pension fund can run out of their pension if they
reach the age of 80 or even earlier. However, nowadays
there is an alternative for retirees to transfer their
money from their NPF (National Pension Fund) into the
Government Annuity Corporation if they have more than
2 million tenges (~$13, 500) in their NPF. The
advantage of NAC is that older people don’t have to
wait until they retire to receive their pensions;
their returns are much higher; they can receive them
all their life and can specify who in their family
receives the remainder of the money after their death.
The only disadvantage is the risk associated with this
investment.
Russia: What Part of
Income Does the Pension Have to be to Qualify as
Decent? (January 13, 2010)
(Article in Russian)
According to the International Organization of Labor,
the minimum pension has to be more than 40% of the
average income in the country. However, in Russia this
amount is about 22-23%, which is quite low. Moreover,
the average income in Russia does not correspond to
the average price level in the country. A decent
pension level should be more than 50-60% of the
average income. Pensions should be enough not just for
common monthly expenses, but also for cultural eventsn
and trips. Whether pensions in Russia will attain this
level depends on oil prices in the near future and the
commitment of the government.
Russia: To Grow Until
Age One Hundred (January 13, 2010)
(Article in Russian)
There is a heated debate in the Lower House of
Parliament whether the government needs to increase
the retirement age. The speaker of the Lower House,
Boris Gryslov, is against the Department of Finance's
decision to raise the retirement age because the
average life expectancy in Russia is lower than it is
in most developed countries. In Russia it's 55 years
for women and 60 for men. One suggestion is to
increase the retirement age for women because women
tend to have a much higher life expectancy than men.
The government needs to consider this decision because
pension expenses outweigh pension fund reserves.
Ukraine: Yanukovich
Promising to Increase Pensions in Ukraine (January
11, 2010)
(Article in Russian)
Currently the average pension per month in Ukraine is
130 dollars and a minimum pension is 79 dollars, which
is very low by European standards. Moreover, a
significant part of the pensions has not been paid to
retirees since November 1. The government passed a new
reform that will increase pensions, yet it's not clear
whether the reform will take place with a new
presidential administration. In this article, the
prospective new president Victor Yanukovich promises
to increase the average pension up to 250 dollars, a
minimum pension up to 150 dollars, and pay the amount
to retirees that they had not received by the end of
the last year.
France: French People
are Pessimistic About their Retirement (January 9,
2010)
(Article in French)
While French President Nicolas Sarkozy declared
retirement reform to be one of his priorities in 2010,
French citizens are pessimistic about their chance to
have a good pension. Some 68% think they will have to
work until they are 65 years old to be able to retire.
More than one-third of the people interviewed assume
that they will have to work even after age 65.
Lithuania: The Order of
Pension Reception in Lithuania Might Exacerbate the
Country's Criminal Situation. (January 7, 2010)
(Article in Russian)
A recent change in delivering pensions to older
citizens worries Lithuanian authorities. The new
pension policy, introduced in Lithuania on January 1,
has not only created many complications for all the
pension recipients, but has the potential of
increasing criminal activity in Lithuania. As stated
by Algirdas Butkevicius, leader of the oppositional
parliamentary faction of the Social Democrats, “The
number of robberies aimed at the pension recipients
might increase. Older pension recipients living in
rural areas are at the highest risk because they would
not be able to get immediate help in case of an
occurrence of this situation.”
France: Rhodia Launches a
Part-Time 'Grand-Parental Leave' (January 4, 2010)
(Article in French)
Rhodia, leads France with its brand new
“grand-parental leave.” This agreement allows every
senior (with or without grandchildren) to switch to
part-time work (down to 80% of work commitments) in
exchange for working longer (the amount of time they
took off). Thanks to this accommodation, Rhodia hopes
to increase its employment rate for people of 60 years
and over. Moreover, the company encourages tutoring
between young and old workers: seniors pass their
knowledge on to the young workers who in turn help the
older ones with new technologies and foreign
languages.
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Middle East & North Africa
Saudi Arabia: Allocating
1 Billion Riyals (266 Million Dollars) to Social
Security Recipients (November 10, 2010)
(Article in Arabic)
The Saudi Arabia Ministry of Social Affairs allocated
over 1 Billion Saudi Riyals to pension recipients for
the Month of Dhu Al-Hijja (the last month in the Hijri
Calendar). Over 707 thousand citizens will receive
benefits from this additional allocation.
Tunisia: The
Government Rejects Increasing the Retirement Age
(November 8, 2010)
(Article
in Arabic)
The Tunisian Government rejected a suggestion to
follow the recent French proposal to increase the
retirement age. The Government considered
raising the retirement age from 60 to 62 years
by 2012 and up to 65 years by 2020.
However, the French government’s action
provoked violent citizen riots. The Tunisian
authorities believed that Tunisians might be
similarly sensitive as well and dropped the plan.
Egypt:
Ministry of Finance Plan to Raise the Minimum and
Maximum Pensions by the End of Next June (October
24, 2010)
(Article in Arabic)
The Ministry of Finance plan to raise the pension
minimums at the end of the current fiscal year. They
also plan to increase minimum wage from 1750 Egyptian
pounds a month to 1900 and 1950 by next July.
Egypt: Starting a New
Online Program for Pensions and Insurance Benefits
(September 24, 2010)
(Articles in Arabic)
The Egyptian Social Insurance Organization launched
a website that provides online services for older
persons, making pension and insurance benefits
transactions easier. This will also serve as a new
more direct line of communication between older
persons and the social insurance sector.
Egypt:
Trust Funds to Establish Retirement Clubs and Homes
(July 26, 2010)
(Article in Arabic)
According to the Social Insurance Fund for workers in
the public and private sector, the trust fund
established under the Insurance and Pensions Act will
provide social welfare services to present and future
pensioners through the provision of subsidies during
difficult times as well as contribute to the
establishment of clubs and retirement homes.
Morocco: Pension Reform
Reclaims Morocco Center Stage (July 14, 2010)
(Article in French)
For Moroccans, a proposal was made in June to increase
the retirement age to 62 next year; it's purpose is to
ensure the pension fund's financial stability,
public-sector workers, however, union leaders have
voiced strong opposition. The Moroccan Labour
Organization claims that the government's move to
extend the retirement age from 60 to 62 is intended to
take money from private and public employees. The
Finance Minister rejected this accusation, stating
that the government promised to reform the pension
system as soon as possible, as it will face serious
financial difficulties as early as 2012 if not
changed. For the moment, the technical committee has
yet to hand in its work and will release its
conclusions in September.
Saudi Arabia:
Older Saudi Man Learns How to Fix Cars to Improve
Family Income (July 3, 2010)
(Article in Arabic)
Old age did not stop Saudi Citizen Saad Al-Qinna,
nearing 70 years of age, from learning how to repair
cars so that he could increase his family’s income and
be productive in his free time. Because his pension
did not meet the family’s needs, Saad entered a new
trade to improve his income security. He rented a
place and works there to repair electrical problems in
damaged cars in the area of Najran.
Middle East: EU Contributes to Palestinian Salaries,
Pensions (June 6, 2010)
This year the European Union made its sixth
contribution to the Palestinian Authority's payment of
its civil service salaries and pensions, both in the
Gaza Strip and the West Bank. The contribution
benefited civil servants and pensioners, out of which
more than one third are in Gaza, helping to ensure the
delivery of basic public services to the Palestinian
Authority.
Algeria:
Seniors Claim Rights at 5th Congress of National
Federation of Retired Workers (May 31, 2010)
(Article in French, also available in Arabic)
Some 200 delegates rallied at the 5th Congress of the
National Federation of Retired Workers opened on March
30 in Sidi Fredj. The Federation discussed “raising
the minimum pension by 100%." Retired workers demanded
an increase in pensions to stop "the deterioration of
purchasing power, an imbalance of living conditions
and socio-sanitary protection."
Jordan:
The New Social Security Act and the Future (May 21,
2010)
(Article in Arabic)
In Jordan legislators passed a new social security act
that includes an insurance reform package that
addresses the imbalances and defectiveness of the
former insurance system. It included newfeatures, such
as unemployment insurance, maternity insurance and
health insurance, which will be adopted gradually.
Jordanians hope that this strengthened act will
guarantee security for the aging, disabled, and
working persons while maintaining the rights of the
insured.
Saudi Arabia: Low Salary and Lack of Health Care is
a Problem for Long-term Retirees (May 17, 2010)
(Article in Arabic)
As a result of the community’s neglect, retirees in
Saudi Arabia are demanding a raise in the minimum
pension to 4,000 riyals and the improvement of public
facilities. Retirees also insist on the right to
participate in the Public Pension Agency and the
Institute for Social Insurance. In addition, they are
requesting low-interest loans, loans for housing,
discounts on tickets for travel, health insurance, an
information database for retirees, and financial
support for the National Association of Retired
Persons.
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