Immigrants in the Old‐Age Pension System: The Case of Sweden

The article investigates incomes and especially state pensions 2008 among elderly immigrants who arrived in Sweden before 1970. At age 70 and above, the level of state old‐age pension for immigrant men was nearly the same and for immigrant women somewhat higher than for natives with similar characteristics. At age 65–66 the state pension was lower for immigrants than for their native counterparts. The differences in pensions for immigrants of different ages are probably due to changed rules in the Swedish state old‐age pension system from 2003. The new rules have hit different age groups in different ways. The gaps are partially levelled out when other incomes are included. The extent to which levelling occurs varies greatly between different immigrant groups. For immigrants who have arrived during the last decades, the future state old‐age pension outcomes are expected to be worse.

Policy Implications

• The Swedish Pensions Agency should set up a register of pensions from abroad. This will tell us to what extent old‐age pensions from the home country compensate for low old‐age pensions from the Swedish system.
• Better integration on the labour market is a powerful measure for reducing the risk of future low pensions among immigrants. This is a challenge for Swedish integration policy.
• To what extent can other parts of the Swedish welfare system in the future compensate individuals with low old‐age pensions?

     

A comparison of early retirement pensions in the United States and Russia: the pensions of musicians

Early retirement pensions for particular occupations free national policy to establish the social security early retirement age at a later age that is more appropriate for the population as a whole. This paper focuses on early retirement pensions in the United States and the Russian Federation. While comparing early retirement pensions generally, the paper provides a more detailed discussion of the pensions for musicians. While this is an unconventional group to choose for the study of pensions, study of their pensions yields insights into the principles underlying retirement age policy in the two countries.     

Risk of disability pension in relation to gender and age in a Swedish county; a 12-year population based, prospective cohort study

Residents of the county of Osterg?tland, Sweden, who were 16-64 years of age in December 1984 and not pensioned (n=229,864), were followed in a prospective, cohort, study of data collected between 1985 and 1996. Using survival methods as the method of analysis, the likelihood of being granted a disability pension was 14% for women, 11% for men, and increased with age. Women less than 54 years of age were at higher risk than men (P<0.001), 69% of disability pensions granted were full-time and 31% were part-time, more women received part-time pensions (P<0.001). Whether the differences observed are due to gender bias in social insurance practices, to disease patterns, to occupational and work-related factors, or to a cohort effect has yet to be determined.     

A Comparison of Early Retirement Pensions in the United States and Russia

Abstract

Early retirement pensions for particular occupations free national policy to establish the social security early retirement age at a later age that is more appropriate for the population as a whole. This paper focuses on early retirement pensions in the United States and the Russian Federation. While comparing early retirement pensions generally, the paper provides a more detailed discussion of the pensions for musicians. While this is an unconventional group to choose for the study of pensions, study of their pensions yields insights into the principles underlying retirement age policy in the two countries.     

High incidence of disability pension with a psychiatric diagnosis in western Sweden. A population-based study from 1980 to 1998

Regional differences in Sweden in the prevalence of disability pension with a psychiatric diagnosis are unexplained, in spite of the significant impact on the population's health, rehabilitation systems, and the health care system. The purpose of this study was to describe the pattern of disability pensions with a psychiatric diagnosis and to analyze the impact of age and gender. We examined the incidence rates in one urban and one semi-rural region and compared these to national rates. The study sample was drawn from employed persons between 16-64 years of age who, because of their sickness insurance coverage, would be eligible to access disability pensions should it be necessary. Analysis of annual incidences and standardized morbidity ratios were made for 1980, 1985, 1990, 1995, and 1998. Data on disability pension cases were collected from the National Social Insurance registers. In the urban region we found that the proportion of men and women clearly outnumbered the national average: approximately twice the number of persons between 16-64 years of age with a psychiatric diagnosis were receiving a disability pension. In the semi-rural region there were fewer men overall on disability pensions with psychiatric disorders, but in 1980, 1985, and 1995 women clearly outnumbered men. Access to psychiatric care, unemployment, alcohol dependence, and previous sickness absence are suggested as possible factors that might affect the rates of disability pension in different geographical settings.     

An overview of work, retirement, and pensions in Japan

Work to retirement in Japan is a sequential transition for the most part, and Japan permits mandatory retirement by firms at age 60. But many older people work beyond the age of 60, many more than in other industrialized countries. A number of hypotheses are examined, having to do with pensions, health, opportunity, interest in working, cultural attitudes (including the concept of ikigai), and public policy initiatives (such as employment policy and the Silver Human Resource Centers). Japan's cultural attitudes and existing policies appear to have set Japan on a unique course in considering the aging of its population. To what extent should other nations emulate Japan?     

An Overview of Work,Retirement, and Pensions in Japan

Work to retirement in Japan is a sequential transition for the most part, and Japan permits mandatory retirement by firms at age 60. But many older people work beyond the age of 60, many more than in other industrialized countries. A number of hypotheses are examined, having to do with pensions, health, opportunity, interest in working, cultural attitudes (including the concept of ikigai), and public policy initiatives (such as employment policy and the Silver Human Resource Centers). Japan's cultural attitudes and existing policies appear to have set Japan on a unique course in considering the aging of its population. To what extent should other nations emulate Japan?     

THE EFFECT OF NONCONTRIBUTORY PENSIONS ON SAVING IN MEXICO

This paper examines the effects of noncontributory pension programs at the federal and state levels on Mexican households' saving patterns using micro data from the Mexican Income and Expenditure Survey. We find that the federal program curtails saving among households whose oldest member is either 18–54 or 65–69 years old, possibly through anticipation effects, a decrease in the longevity risk faced by households, and a redistribution of income between households of different generations. Specifically, these households appear to be reallocating income away from saving into human capital investments, like education and health. Generally, state programs have neither significant effects on household saving, nor does the combination of federal and state programs. Finally, with a few exceptions, noncontributory pensions have no significant impact on the saving of households with members 70 years of age or older—individuals eligible for those pensions, plausibly because of their dissaving stage in the lifecycle. (JEL D14, J26, O12, H55)     

Using a Political Economy and Life Course Approach to Understand Gendered Pension Provision in the UK

The future sustainability of pensions has gained considerable international attention over recent years. These concerns have been fuelled by increasing longevity and rising pension deficits. In addition there has been further awareness of the extent of female pensioner poverty. In order to explore this situation a suitable analytical framework is required. As pensions received in retirement are dependent on earlier events in individuals’ lives, most notably their employment history, this paper explores the need for a life course approach to examine the gendered nature of pensions in the UK. Initially the life course approach, a key mode of analysis in political economy theory, is defined. It is then used to examine the notion of the changing ‘institution’ of retirement and its subsequent de‐standardisation. Then, linked to the political economy approach, it is utilised to introduce ways in which employment experiences of men and women impact upon inequalities in retirement. Finally, the article concludes that by employing such an approach to understanding pensions it enables a better appreciation of savings behaviour and opportunities.     

Does the road get lonelier? Aging in a coloured community in South Africa

The Social Environmental Theory of Aging, developed by Jay Gubrium, postulates the utilization of activity resources in the personal, social or fiduciary domain. These resources are developed during the active years and exchanged as age increases. Success in aging depends on making favorable exchanges and maintaining independence. Aged Coloureds in Grahamstown utilize their social networks and support groups to avoid loneliness. While they are still ambulatory they visit neighbors and friends or participate in the old age club, the Antics. However, in a compressed economy with double digit inflation they have one secure item for exchange, i.e., their pensions. This provides their basic needs and assures the support of their family. Their primary security is in the social environment and is guaranteed by their fiduciary role.     

Demografische Alterung und Reformen der Alterssicherung in Europa – Probleme der ökonomischen,sozialen und politischen Nachhaltigkeit

Ageing is one of the long-term challenges for old age security in Europe, in particular for the intergenerational contract of pay-as-you go public pensions. The comparative macro-sociological analysis maps the demographic trends, political constraints, and social policy reform dynamics across Europe. Due to demographic ageing all European societies face long-term sustainability problems of their pension systems. Despite many reforms, European welfare states differ in the timing of retirement and the extent of pay-as-you-go public pensions. The comparison of ten European welfare states reveals the cross-national variations in reducing early retirement and in partially shifting to prefunded pensions. In addition to financial sustainability, the contribution also discusses other sustainability issues, particularly social inequality and political feasibility, which must be overcome in addition to the demographic challenge.     

Gamblers' irrational thinking about chance events: the ‘double switching’ concept

The aim of this study was to examine the association between gender and problem electronic gaming machine (EGM) gambling. One hundred and twenty-three males and 209 females (N=335; three participants did not identify their gender) with a mean age of 44.9 years were surveyed in gaming venues within Metropolitan Melbourne. The results showed a greater representation of Australian-born (74%) among the female group, compared to the male group (64%). The women were also older (47% were aged 41–60 years) than the men (48% of males were aged 19–40 years). Significant relationships were found between gender, age, marital status and religion and pathological EGM gambling. The results of this study showed the pathological EGM gambler was likely to be male, under the age of 45 years, single and possibly of the Greek Orthodox faith. Implications of this study suggest that different forms of gambling may suit different cultures and that other issues pertaining to cultural aspects of gambling need to be explored in greater depth.     

Re-examining female labor supply responses to the 1994 Australian pension reform

Many governments are aiming to extend working lives by raising the age at which people can claim retirement pensions. This makes it vital to understand how these policies affect retirement decisions. In this paper, I revisit the labor supply effects of a major Australian reform that increased women’s pension age from 60 to 65. Atalay and Barrett (2015) studied these effects using repeated household surveys and a differences-in-differences design in which male cohorts form the comparison group. They estimate that the reform increased female labor force participation by 12 percentage points. Using earlier data, I show that the parallel-trends assumption did not hold before the reform because of a strong female-specific trend in participation rates across the relevant cohorts. Accounting for this trend, the estimated effect on female participation falls by two-thirds and becomes statistically insignificant at conventional levels. This highlights the importance of carefully assessing and controlling for trends across cohorts when evaluating pension reforms, which are typically phased in across cohorts.

     

Extending private pension coverage in a middle-income country: the case of Brazil

Government policies can play an important role in the development of private pensions. These policies can be divided into three groups: (1) policies that are essential to providing a favorable economic environment for pensions; (2) policies that encourage the development of private pensions, given that a favorable economic environment for them exists; and (3) policies that deal with weaknesses of private pension systems. While the policies discussed are generally applicable for middle-income countries, the economic and legal environments for pensions differ across countries. This article focuses in particular on the situation in Brazil.     

The age of skin cancers

Cancer affects two major cell types in the human skin: epithelial cells and melanocytes. Aging and a previous history of ultraviolet light exposure are major risk factors for skin cancers, including basal and squamous cell carcinomas and melanomas. However, melanomas, which are the most deadly of the skin tumors, display two intriguing characteristics: The incidence is increased and the prognosis is worse in males over 60 years as compared with females of the same age. This Perspective discusses possible reasons for age and gender as melanoma risk factors, as well as the need for studies aimed at unraveling the molecular mechanism of such puzzling events.     

Bread and tea: a study of the integration of low-income immigrants from other Caribbean territories into Trinidad

This study examined the social integration of intra-Caribbean migrants within lower socioeconomic strata in Trinidad, in 1994. Data were obtained from in-depth interviews among 22 migrants. Integration means labor market participation, social interaction, political and organizational activities, and cultural encounters. Findings are not generalizable to the larger immigrant population in Trinidad. The target population was recruited through church organizations and schools. Migrants came from Grenada, St. Vincent, and Guyana. All were first generation labor migrants to Trinidad. Most located well-established circles of their own native countrymen. There were 6 males and 16 females, of whom 5 were aged 20-34 years, 8 were aged 35-64 years, and 9 were elderly. 8 had lived in Trinidad for up to 20 years and 14 lived in Trinidad over 20 years. Migrants lived in Laventille/Morvant outside Port of Spain, and in Roco, a rural village in the northeast. 16 lived in rental housing. Although all lived in low income areas, the housing ranged from substandard to adequate and pleasant. Primary support groups were friends, neighbors, and kin. Some felt social competition from Trinidadians who did not like to see migrants advancing economically. Four of the working age migrants were homemakers. Five were underemployed. The unemployed viewed themselves as work seekers and were similar to unemployed Trinidadians. Some elderly qualified for state old-age pensions. Pensioners supplemented their pension with informal activity. Migrants supported political parties. Religion and church attendance were important. Integration softened the problems of life. Social adjustment and marketable skills were not being transferred between generations. Social integration with natives was facilitated by 7 factors, including ethnocultural affinity, which promotes a sense of belonging.     

Extending Private Pension Coverage in a Middle-Income Country

Abstract

Government policies can play an important role in the development of private pensions. These policies can be divided into three groups: (1) policies that are essential to providing a favorable economic environment for pensions; (2) policies that encourage the development of private pensions, given that a favorable economic environment for them exists; and (3) policies that deal with weaknesses of private pension systems. While the policies discussed are generally applicable for middle-income countries, the economic and legal environments for pensions differ across countries. This article focuses in particular on the situation in Brazil.     

Warum fast alle das deutsche Rentensystem ungerecht finden, aber trotzdem nichts daran ändern möchten

As Germany’s representative 2006 Survey of the International Social Justice Project clarifies, intergenerational justice and financing of future pensions are seen as central problems of Germany’s state pension system by a vast majority. Despite this common perception, proposals for reform that address the issue of intergenerational justice directly at the institutional level are extremely unpopular. Moreover, concrete constitutive elements of the state pensions system, like the amount of contributions, the amount of benefits and the principle of status-conservation are seen as largely fair. As mechanisms driving this preference for the status quo, anchoring effects, loss aversion and socialization are proposed and tested empirically via factorial survey methods. Results indicate that arbitrary settings (anchors) determine what people regard as a just pension irrespective of individual justice standards. Furthermore, loss aversion can help explain why individual worries about economic status in old age overlay consideration of exchange relations between the young and the old within the pensions system. As a result, potential benefits of reform are hardly recognized. Finally, former institutional settings prove to be formative for ideas of justice in the long run. Even under the condition of comparable economic interests, Germans from the former GDR expect a more egalitarian distribution of pensions, whereas Western Germans strongly favor allocation according to status criteria.     

Can Latin America Protect the Elderly with Non‐Contributory Programmes? The Case of Uruguay

Coverage of contributory pension programmes has been quite disappointing in Latin America in the aftermath of the reforms. The question thus arises as to whether non‐contributory programmes could fill the gap. Uruguay is atypical in this region in that the proportion of the elderly receiving contributory pensions is high, and the incidence of poverty among the aged population is lower than among any other age group. But several observers fear that this situation could deteriorate in the future, because the conditions for accessing the pensions have been significantly tightened in the past decade. This article assesses several options for reforming the existing non‐contributory pension programme, and estimates their fiscal cost.     

Complementarity of pensions and training under multiemployer plans

We compare firmoptimizing and institutional models of labor contracts to investigate how different types of pension plans affect employee training. Unlike previous stud-ies, we consider an expanded voice model of training and pension coverage in which worker and union preferences feed back on firm decisions, and we test for this bidi-rectional causality between pensions and training. A standard view is that firms pro-vide pensions to optimize their training costs. However, when pension coverage is treated as endogenous in a twostage least squares regression (the data are merged 1991 CPS samples), pensions have a negative effect on training. In contrast, when the pension is a definedbenefit, multiemployer plan, training and pensions are comple-ments, consistent with both optimizing and institutional models. We are grateful for excellent research assistance from Michael Ash, Bhashkar Mazumder, and Judith Ruha and for suggestions from Dale Belman, David Card, B.J. Lee, David MacPherson, and John Turner.