Global Aging Issues
NGO Role in Advocating on Pensions
Opinion
January 2006
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By Dr. Jane Barratt, Secretary General
International Federation on Ageing (IFA)
The ageing of populations is a significant phenomenon putting its stamp on most parts of the world in the 21st century. It is no longer just a phenomenon catching the attention of a few demographic and social researchers, but, to a growing extent, a subject which is debated intensely by politicians, by the media, and by the population. Nowhere is this more true than for the discussion of pension systems, which is not just the subject of academic discussions in secluded working papers, but a subject giving rise to strong reactions such as strikes and unrest in the streets.
Countries across the world differ, to a large extent, in their design of pension systems, and hence the role of governments varies. Some countries rely heavily on tax-financed pensions, obviously involving government policies. In other countries, the government role is limited to poverty relief for the few, or to regulation of the markets for pension products. However, independent of the pension system a country has chosen and the country’s political, economical and cultural background, its government often plays an important role in relation to the pension incomes received by its older population.
Older people are particularly vulnerable to the effects of economic change; those without savings, assets or capacity to generate income are among the least able to withstand economic shocks. Large numbers of older people in the developing world, especially women, live in extreme poverty. Those over 70 face greater poverty than other age groups. Those over 80, who are predominately female, are at greatest risk of multiple chronic deprivations.
Traditionally, older people in developing countries have had a reciprocal relationship with their adult children, receiving support in return for work in the home or on the farm. In many countries, however, where unemployment, migration, conflict and the HIV/AIDS epidemic are having a profound impact on intergenerational support, this is no longer the case.
The International Federation on Ageing in partnership with DaneAge and Age Concern will bring together officials from governments across the world for the Senior Officials Meeting (SOM) on pension reform and pension design prior to the IFA 8th Global Conference on Ageing. It is intended for senior officials from developing, transitional and developed countries who are concerned with the policy and practice of pension reform and pension design.
It will enable them:
- to review the development of pension reform/design over the last two decades;
- to confirm the successes, the failures and the learning; and to explore the challenges they and their government face, both now and in the future;
- to hear, question and challenge acknowledged world experts on key issues of pension design and pension reform facing governments; and
- to hear the experience and best practice from colleagues across the world who are engaged in the design and reform of pensions.
Outcomes
By the end of the Senior Officials Meeting, participants will have:
- met, exchanged ideas and experience with colleagues from around the world;
- enhanced their awareness and understanding of the key challenges facing governments on pension reform and pension design;
- had the major challenges on pension reform/design facing their government heard and responded to by peers and world experts; and
- Established a network of colleagues and experts able to provide support on pension reform and pension design.
For further information please contact Jane Barratt at the IFA office: jane@ifa-fiv.org.