The 2001 Reform of Old Age Security in Germany: An Example of Security through Diversity

• Autorzy: Gert G. Wagner
• Języki publikacji: EN

Abstrakty

EN

On the one hand, the German statutory pension system (Gesetzliche Rentenversicherung) is famous for its generosity; but, on the other hand, population ageing and its negative consequences on a pay-as-you-go (PAYG) pension system will be especially significant in Germany. (...) This paper gives an overview of the pension system in Germany, the reform debate, and the structures and consequences of the reform that actually took place. It is important to recognize that the German pension system is not only an old-age system. It also includes disability payments and some health prevention schemes. (...) The starting point for this paper is the insight that there is no "escape" from the burden which comes through the ageing of populations, but that a multipolar system is better than a PAYG system in handling these problems. The discussion will focus on the problems of partially funded old-age retirement payments because this is the most challenging feature of the reform. It is important to note, however, that measures for increasing the effective age of retirement, reforming widows' payments and other kinds of redistribution elements, and, last but not least, the rules for paying contributions, are also extremely important keystones of a reform package. Section II of this paper presents an brief overview of the old-age security system in Germany and its structure at the end of the 1990s (before the reform of 2001). Section III summarizes the reasons for the reform debate. Section IV describes and evaluates the actual reform. Finally, Section V summarizes our discussion of the pension reform. (fragment of text)

Słowa kluczowe

EN

Social security system; Pension schemes; Pension system reform

PL

Zabezpieczenie społeczne; System emerytalny; Reforma systemu emerytalnego

• Czasopismo: Emergo. Journal of Transforming Economies and Societies
• Rocznik: 2002
• Tom: 9
• Numer: nr 1
• Strony: 27--37

Twórcy

autor

Gert G. Wagner

• Berlin University of Technology; German Institute for Economic Research

Bibliografia

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• Konrad, K. A. and Wagner, G. G. (forthcoming) "Reform of the Public Pension System in Germany" in T. Ihori and T. Tachibanaki (eds) Social Security Reform in Advanced Countries. London
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