期刊名称:CORE Discussion Papers / Center for Operations Research and Econometrics (UCL), Louvain
出版年度:2010
卷号:2010
期号:1
出版社:Center for Operations Research and Econometrics (UCL), Louvain
摘要:This paper examines the impact on old age poverty and the fiscal cost of universal minimum old age
pensions in Latin America using recent household survey data for 18 countries. Alleviating old age
poverty requires different approach from other age groups and a minimum pension is likely to be the
only alternative available. First we measure old age poverty rates for all countries. Second we discuss
the design of minimum pensions schemes, means-tested or not, as well as the disincentive effects that
they are expected to have on the economic and social behavior of households including labor supply,
saving and family solidarity. Third we use the household surveys to simulate the fiscal cost and the
impact on poverty rates of alternative minimum pension schemes in the 18 countries. We show that a
universal minimum pension would substantially reduce poverty among the elderly except in
Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Uruguay where minimum pension systems already exist and poverty
rates are low. Such schemes have much to be commended in terms of incentives, spillover effects and
administrative simplicity but have a high fiscal cost. The latter is a function of the age at which
benefits are awarded, the prevailing longevity, the generosity of benefits, the efficacy of means
testing, and naturally the fiscal capacity of the country.
关键词:Keywords: old age poverty, income transfer, pension systems, family income, fiscal policies,
human development.