February 2017

Reforming Pensions in Central Europe: Path Dependence and Path Departure in the Pension Systems of former Czechoslovakia

By Ivan Lesay Welfare states in general and pension systems specifically have been recently facing many economic, ideological, political and other challenges all around the world. However, welfare state retrenchment and pension reforms are most likely not to look the same in the post-Communist Europe as in other parts of the world. Almost a half century in the Soviet bloc prepared different political, economic, and institutional legacies for potential welfare state restructuring in Central-East Europe after the fall of Communism....

Securing Pension Provision: The Challenge of Reforming the Age of Entitlement

By comparing Germany, France, the UK and the USA this study explores how governments have tackled the increased pressure of financing state pensions. Specifically, it looks at the approach of each of these countries to raising the age of entitlement in order to understand the ways in which this policy was introduced in different countries. Read More: HERE

Reforming Pensions: A Short Guide

Mandatory pensions are a worldwide phenomenon. However, with fixed contribution rates, monthly benefits, and retirement ages, pension systems are not consistent with three long-run trends: declining mortality, declining fertility, and earlier retirement. Many systems need reform. This book gives an extensive nontechnical explanation of the economics of pension design. The theoretical arguments have three elements: * Pension systems have multiple objectives--consumption smoothing, insurance, poverty relief, and redistribution. Good policy needs to bear them all in mind. * Good analysis should be framed...

Averting the Old Age Crisis: Policies to Protect the Old and Promote Growth (World Bank Policy Research Report)

This policy-oriented book identifies the issues countries should consider as they reevaluate their old income security policies and formulate new methods. The choice between the various models for providing old-age security has broad implications for the operation of labor and capital markets, the fiscal system, and the level, growth, and distribution of GNP. The author concludes that a mixed strategy is more effective than any single method of income security. This will be an important book for international economists...

Reforming Pensions: Principles and Policy Choices

Mandatory pensions are a worldwide phenomenon. However, with fixed contribution rates, monthly benefits, and retirement ages, pension systems are not consistent with three long-run trends: declining mortality, declining fertility, and earlier retirement. Many systems need reform. This book gives an extensive nontechnical explanation of the economics of pension design. The theoretical arguments have three elements: * Pension systems have multiple objectives--consumption smoothing, insurance, poverty relief, and redistribution. Good policy needs to bear them all in mind. * Good analysis should be...

The Changes Confronting the Investment Advisory Business

The investment advisory business is undergoing a once-in-a-generation transformation in the delivery of financial advice to individual investors. The changes are moving the industry toward higher standards of professionalism and transparency. But there is still a need for wealth management firms and financial advisers to do more. Many investors face a clear-cut savings shortfall — and a bewildering array of investment alternatives — and are challenged to accumulate sufficient wealth to meet the needs of longer life spans. Precisely when their need...

Tata Steel: Union workers back new pension plan

Thousands of Tata steelworkers have overwhelmingly backed a deal on the future of their pensions. They were asked whether they would accept moving from a final salary pension to a less generous scheme. Members of three unions at sites in Wales, Scotland, South Yorkshire and Teesside all supported the new proposals. Tata's offer included a £1bn investment commitment at Port Talbot and no compulsory job losses. The three unions at the Indian company's UK plants had recommended that their members, including 6,300 Tata...

Uganda: No Records for Pensioners – Government

Kampala — Government says it does not have records of pensioners due to "lack of data and personal files." According to the ministry of Public Service, many pensioners do not show up for verification thus leading to delays in payment of their monthly dues and the once off gratuity. The State minister for Public Service, Mr David Karubanga told MPs during plenary that the ministry will, carry out a census and biometric validation of pensioners starting February 20. "The ministry of Public...

AFP y corrupción

Más de tres mil millones de soles de nuestros fondos de pensiones han sido invertidos por la Asociación de Administradoras de Fondos de Pensiones (AFP) en empresas constructoras corruptas, que hoy son materia de investigación y escándalo internacional sin precedentes. Estas empresas obviamente están siendo afectadas en sus ingresos y tendrán pérdidas, ¿y esas pérdidas las asumiremos también los afiliados? Esa es una pregunta que la deben responder inmediatamente las AFP, pero hasta el momento no han dicho nada...

Aseguradores rechazan idea de crear una nueva administradora de pensiones

Con varias propuestas en mano, la Asociación de Aseguradores de Chile (AACh) entró al debate sobre el sistema de pensiones que se agudizó el año pasado. Por lo mismo, si bien las AFP han sido las protagonistas de la discusión, las compañías de seguros no se han quedado atrás. Hoy son un actor relevante en el sistema previsional y bajo esa cercanía, aseguran que el modelo previsional chileno requiere de ciertos ajustes que permitan mejorar las jubilaciones. "Lo más importante...