Asia Pacific

Reports | Articles

Reports

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. 

Australia: Accumulating Poverty? Women’s Experiences of Inequality Over the Lifecycle (September 2009)
In this report, the Australian Human Rights Commission analysts reveal the gender gap in retirement savings through the lens of a woman’s lifecycle. This gender gap reflects the gender inequalities in Australia; women disproportionately do unpaid work and also receive lower pay relative to men. Therefore, instead of accumulating wealth through the retirement income system, women are more likely to accumulate poverty. For instance, research indicates that, between 2000 and 2005, single elderly female households have been at the greatest risk of persistent poverty.

Articles

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.

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Europe and Central Asia

Reports | Articles 

Reports

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.

Sweden’s Pensioners: How They Have Fared in the Roller Coaster Ride through the Past Decade and a Half of Deep Recession and Economic Exuberance (December 2007)
In a world of increasing wealth at the top and sharply growing global poverty among older persons, how are Swedish older persons doing since 1990, when the financial crisis occurred? Although the financial crisis affected older Swedes, the overall poverty among elders in Sweden remains low compared to other nations. The Swedish welfare state has maintained its resilience.

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.

Europe: Correcting Gender Inequality in Pensions: The Experience of Five European Countries (September 2009)
It used to be that activists ignored gender inequality in pensions. However, people are increasingly seeking divorces. And non-marital unions pose challenges to the pension system rules. The authors present several approaches that Germany has undertaken, along with Italy, the UK, Sweden and France, to reduce gender inequality in pensions and to guarantee that women obtain adequate pension rights. The nations focus their concern on the idea of a pension system based on individual rights. Some experts suggest adopting universal pensions (which are the same amount for everyone) in order to correct for gender inequality

Articles

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.

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. 

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

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. 

Tunisia: From Now On in Tunisia, the Minimum Salary is 225 Dinars (August 3, 2009)
(Article in French)
In a statement published on Monday, the Tunisian Prime Minister declared that retirement pensions would increase as well as the SMIG (Minimum and Guaranteed Salary). Moreover, the State has decided to allocate 10 more dinars for old or disabled people so that they reach 170 dinars quarterly. Those measures went into force August 1, 2009. 

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Global

Report: World: Public Pension Institutions and Old-Age Mortality in a Comparative Perspective (2010)
The International Journal of Social Welfare experts demonstrate how the right to a pension affects death in old age. The authors made a distinction between two dimensions of pension benefits, one of providing basic security, and the other of providing income security. 

World: Pension System - OECD Wants Older Workers to Keep Working (April 28, 2010)
The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is recommending that governments of its member countries encourage older workers to keep on working to make the pension systems more affordable. In a report by the OECD entitled "Pensions in France and Abroad: Seven Key Indicators," the cost of public pension systems was expected to keep rising. In 2007, public spending on pensions accounted for 10 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the European Union. By 2060 that figure will rise to 12.5 percent.

World: Australian Government Backs British Pensioners' Rights (April 5, 2010)
The European Court of Human Rights has dashed the hopes of around 500,000 expatriate pensioners living with frozen UK state pensions abroad. The Court threw out their appeal to get their pensions increased in line with inflation, as they already are for their peers in the EU and the United States. Judges in Strasbourg ruled that the UK's stance does not breach their human rights. However, the fight is not over, as the expatriate pensioners have won the support of the Australian government to change the UK's position on the issue.

World: What Have We Been Able to Achieve With Our Four Pillars Research? (March 10, 2010)
This report published by the Geneva Association summarizes its research and achievements in the field of social security, insurance, and retirement. Research indicates that “retirement expectancy has extended to a substantial time frame.” In light of this, the Geneva Association considers the implications and the social impact of the delayed onset of old age such as the feasibility of reduced public pensions, and people having to work later than they did previously. 

Book: World: Women’s Work and Pensions: What is Good, What is Best? (Public Policy and Social Welfare) (February 2010)
Bernd Marin and Eszter Zolyomi's book, Women's Work and Pensions, explores the course of the working life and retirement of women through their lifespan, as compared to men. The diversity in the working world of women is well represented--from gainful work to unpaid work. In particular, the book discusses the hardships that women face in the various phases of life, as well as the effects of changes in pension reform over time. The authors suggest policy changes for achieving gender equality and fairness in work and in retirement.

Report: World: A Discussion of Retirement Income Security for Men and Women (December 30, 2009)
This report, written by Annika Sundén, is a sample chapter from a book called Women's Work and Pensions: What is Good, What is Best? The author explores the difficulties women face in working life and in retirement - and what could be done to achieve more gender equality and fairness for women and men alike. Leading pension experts, predominantly women, from Europe analyze the basic challenges through single and comparative country studies. Find more details about this publication on the book page here.

Report: World: Insurance and the Credit Crisis: Impact and Ten Consequences for Risk Management and Supervision (2009)
Older people often have insurance on their lives, for their possessions such as homes or apartments or for other “risks.” Insurers must use people’s payments to assure that funds are available when the house catches fire or the loved one dies. Experts for the Swiss-based Geneva Association take a look at how the recent credit crisis has affected their industry and offer some ideas for risk management.

Report: World: Public and Private Pension Expenditure (2008)
This report comes from Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Factbox. It displays the public and private pension expenditures in various countries. Statistics are available from 1990 to 2005, regarding public pension expenditure and 2002 to 2008, regarding private pension expenditure, as a percentage of GDP. Check out your home country and identify the nations with the highest number of elders who are living in poverty. Any surprises?

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