Economic Challenges of Pension Systems

Economic Challenges of Pension Systems

Author: Marta Peris-Ortiz

Publisher: Springer Nature

Published: 2020-03-20

Total Pages: 487

ISBN-13: 3030379124

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This book examines the major economic challenges associated with the sustainability of public pensions, specifically demographic change, labor-market relations, and risk sharing. The issue of public pensions occupies the political and economic agendas of many major governments in the world. International organizations such as the World Bank and the OECD warn that the economic changes driven by an aging society negatively affects the sustainability of pension systems. This book analyzes different global public pension systems to offer policies, methods and tools for sustainable public pensions. Real case studies from France, Sweden, Latin America, Algeria, USA and Mexico are featured.


Pensions: Challenges and Reforms

Pensions: Challenges and Reforms

Author: Einar Overbye

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2017-11-28

Total Pages: 325

ISBN-13: 1351151789

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Throughout the developed world, public and private pension schemes face major challenges that are creating irresistible pressures for reform. Major structural changes in Latin America and in Central and Eastern Europe have led to particularly fierce pressure. Two member states of the European Union - Italy and Sweden - have introduced radical reform of their public pensions systems; controversial pension reforms have been proposed in France and Germany; and the British government has been widely criticized over its pension reforms and its 2002 white paper. This exceptional volume examines the challenges faced by pension schemes in the advanced economies and the reforms that have been introduced to tackle these challenges. A team of international contributors provides an up-to-date, invaluable analysis of different aspects of pension problems, prospects and reforms. The book incorporates cross-national chapters as well as a focus on individual countries including Belgium, Brazil, Colombia, Finland, Greece, Italy, Sweden, the UK and the USA.


State and Local Pensions

State and Local Pensions

Author: Alicia H. Munnell

Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield

Published: 2012-08-27

Total Pages: 266

ISBN-13: 0815724136

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In the wake of the financial crisis and Great Recession, the health of state and local pension plans has emerged as a front burner policy issue. Elected officials, academic experts, and the media alike have pointed to funding shortfalls with alarm, expressing concern that pension promises are unsustainable or will squeeze out other pressing government priorities. A few local governments have even filed for bankruptcy, with pensions cited as a major cause. Alicia H. Munnell draws on both her practical experience and her research to provide a broad perspective on the challenge of state and local pensions. She shows that the story is big and complicated and cannot be viewed through a narrow prism such as accounting methods or the role of unions. By examining the diversity of the public plan universe, Munnell debunks the notion that all plans are in trouble. In fact, she finds that while a few plans are basket cases, many are functioning reasonably well. Munnell's analysis concludes that the plans in serious trouble need a major overhaul. But even the relatively healthy plans face three challenges ahead: an excessive concentration of plan assets in equities; the risk that steep benefit cuts for new hires will harm workforce quality; and the constraints plans face in adjusting future benefits for current employees. Here, Munnell proposes solutions that preserve the main strengths of state and local pensions while promoting needed reforms.


Falling Short

Falling Short

Author: Charles D. Ellis

Publisher: Oxford University Press

Published: 2014-12-01

Total Pages: 169

ISBN-13: 0190218916

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The United States faces a serious retirement challenge. Many of today's workers will lack the resources to retire at traditional ages and maintain their standard of living in retirement. Solving the problem is a major challenge in today's environment in which risk and responsibility have shifted from government and employers to individuals. For this reason, Charles D. Ellis, Alicia H. Munnell, and Andrew D. Eschtruth have written this concise guide for anyone concerned about their own - and the nation's - retirement security. Falling Short is grounded in sound research yet written in a highly accessible style. The authors provide a vivid picture of the retirement crisis in America. They offer the necessary context for understanding the nature and size of the retirement income shortfall, which is caused by both increasing income needs-due to longer lifespans and rising health costs-and decreasing support from Social Security and employer-sponsored pension plans. The solutions are to work longer and save more by building on the existing retirement system. To work longer, individuals should plan to stay in the labor force until age 70 if possible. To save more, policymakers should shore up Social Security's long-term finances; make all 401(k) plans fully automatic, with workers allowed to opt out; and ensure that everyone has access to a retirement savings plan. Individuals should also recognize that their house is a source of saving, which they can tap in retirement through downsizing or a reverse mortgage.


Assessing Chile's Pension System: Challenges and Reform Options

Assessing Chile's Pension System: Challenges and Reform Options

Author: Samuel Pienknagura

Publisher: International Monetary Fund

Published: 2021-09-10

Total Pages: 52

ISBN-13: 151359611X

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Chile’s pension system came under close scrutiny in recent years. This paper takes stock of the adequacy of the system and highlights its challenges. Chile’s defined contribution system was quite influential when introduced, and was taken as an example by other countries. However, it is now delivering low replacement rates relative to OECD peers, as its parameters did not adapt over time to changing demographics and global returns, while informality persists in the labor market. In the absence of reforms, the system’s inability to deliver adequate outcomes for a large share of participants will continue to magnify, as demographic trends and low global interest rates will continue to reduce replacement rates. In addition, recent legislation allowing for pension savings withdrawals to counter the effects from the COVID-19 pandemic, is projected to further reduce replacement rates and increase fiscal costs. A substantial improvement in replacement rates is feasible, via a reform that raises contribution rates and the retirement age, coupled with policies that increases workers’ contribution density.


The Challenge of Public Pension Reform in Advanced and Emerging Economies

The Challenge of Public Pension Reform in Advanced and Emerging Economies

Author: Mr.Benedict J. Clements

Publisher: International Monetary Fund

Published: 2013-01-25

Total Pages: 86

ISBN-13: 147556631X

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Pension reform is high on the policy agenda of many advanced and emerging market economies. In advanced economies the challenge is generally to contain future increases in public pension spending as the population ages. In emerging market economies, the challenges are often different. Where pension coverage is extensive, the issues are similar to those in advanced economies. Where pension coverage is low, the key challenge will be to expand coverage in a fiscally sustainable manner. This volume examines the outlook for public pension spending over the coming decades and the options for reform in 52 advanced and emerging market economies.


Positioning Pensions for the Twenty-First Century

Positioning Pensions for the Twenty-First Century

Author: Michael S. Gordon

Publisher: University of Pennsylvania Press

Published: 1997-04-29

Total Pages: 278

ISBN-13: 9780812233919

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As the United States comes to terms with the pending insolvency of social security, workers are increasingly pinning their hopes for retirement adequacy on employer-sponsored plans. Positioning Pensions for the Twenty-First Century analyzes the role of pensions in retirement security, examining how these programs will evolve to meet the challenges to our nation's retirement system. The book brings together a team of leading economists, corporate and labor specialists, actuaries, and policy experts to examine the future of retirement options within the context of emerging labor and business trends and innovative developments in the pension community. They show how a successful public and private pension system can be sustained and strengthened and demonstrate how employer pensions can be configured against a delicately financed social insurance system. The book's contributions examine where pensions have succeeded and failed over the last several decades and point to positive new developments in the pension arena. Its coverage includes innovative pension options such as hybrid and cash-balance plans; pension funding regulations; changes in GATT laws altering pension insurance premiums; and emerging developments concerning administrative costs and pension obligation bonds. It also features new research on defined contribution plan investment options and includes three case studies of participant-directed pension investments, telling how thousands of workers are allocating their pension savings in 401(k) and related plans. Positioning Pensions for the Twenty-First Century is essential reading for all managers, employees, and policymakers concerned with designing pension systems that can withstand the challenges of the next decade.


The Future of Saving

The Future of Saving

Author: Mr.David Amaglobeli

Publisher: International Monetary Fund

Published: 2019-01-15

Total Pages: 47

ISBN-13: 1484388992

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This SDN explores how demographic changes have affected and will affect public and private sector savings, highlighting the interaction between pension systems, labor markets, and demographic variables.


Pensions in the Public Sector

Pensions in the Public Sector

Author: Olivia S. Mitchell

Publisher: University of Pennsylvania Press

Published: 2001

Total Pages: 692

ISBN-13: 9780812235784

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From the Pension Research Council of the Wharton School, this book explores the diversity of governmental pension plans and investigates how these financial institutions must change in years to come.


The U. S. Pension Crisis

The U. S. Pension Crisis

Author: Ronald Ryan

Publisher: Leading Press

Published: 2013-12-17

Total Pages: 240

ISBN-13: 9780615287591

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America faces its greatest financial challenge since the Great Depression: The U.S. Pension Crisis! A devastating pension crisis looms as spiking contribution costs and promised benefit payments threaten the solvency of many corporations, cities, and states. This book details how improper accounting rules misled pension managers to follow the wrong objectives, leading to a financial crisis of epic proportions. Award-winning author Ronald J. Ryan details just how the pension crisis developed and what pension decision makers need to do now to solve this dilemma. He offers a compelling strategy to reduce pension costs and reach a fully funded status.