Social security coverage extension: A review of recent evidence

Abstract

This article reports the findings of 13 studies undertaken as part of the International Social Security Association (ISSA) project on "Examining the existing knowledge on coverage extension". It reviews recent evidence that highlights how cash benefits and health-care coverage, financed on the basis of contributions or tax revenue or both, can be extended and maintained in low-, middle-and high-income countries. The article also highlights a number of priority areas and issues for coverage extension, including realizing improved protection for informal-economy and migrant workers.i ssr_1354 57..76

Lessons from China on different approaches to pension coverage extension

“…Trust in the pension programme is another important factor. Individuals with a low level of trust are less likely to join the pension programme (van Ginneken, 2010). Individuals also take into account the degree of ease with which pension enrolees pay contributions and receive benefits (Enoff and McKinnon, 2011).…”

“…Insofar as pension coverage is concerned, policy reforms since the 1990s have achieved limited success (van Ginneken, 2010; McKinnon et al, 2014). The World Bank and other international organizations have promoted the funded defined contribution (FDC) pension model in developing countries (World Bank, 1994).…”

The performance of social security contributory and tax‐financed pensions in Central America, and the effects of the global crisis

“…Poverty afflicts most of the population. All these population segments are excluded from social insurance coverage (van Ginneken, 2010). Table 3 (based on more accurate survey data) shows that in 2006 the coverage levels of both the EAP and the elderly population declined as the informal sector and poverty incidence increased, and vice‐versa.…”

Expanding Social Insurance Coverage to Informal Workers

“…The high incidence of informality in developing countries implies that many workers are not covered against important risks, such as unemployment, illness and old-age poverty (Figure 1). In Sub-Saharan Africa, for example, typically not more than 5 to 10 percent of the workforce is in formal work with access to social insurance (Van Ginneken, 2010). In many Latin American countries, informality rates exceed 60 percent (Tornarolli et al, 2014).…”