Facts from social security

 Ten facts from social security.

Peace in Syria

The 2013 winners of the Pultizer have been announced. Social security is an instrument of peace, and this winner picture talks about why anyone can be against war:

Intergenerational labor mobility

The Encuesta de Movilidad Social en Mexico 2011 (EMOVI 2011), which was conducted by the Centro de Estudios Espinosa Yglesias, allows us to measure mobility in the labor market between parents and children. The following figure shows the mobility in the formal and informal labor market between two generations. As can be seen, the persons who work in a covered job (i.e. with social security) is much higher when the father worked in a covered job. This result persists even if we control for wage, education, and other socio-demographic characteristics.

Density of contributions estimation for Mexico

These figures represent a first estimate of the density of contributions using data from Encuesta de Trayectorias Laborales of Mexico. We can observe that people between 40 and 54 years old have a higher density of contibutions. 

Employment in Spain is getting worse

During November Spain suffered more job destruction. The situation of social security is getting worse. read the complete note here.

Quality Management in IMSS

The Mexican Social Security Institute has published the book “Quality Management in the Mexican Institute of Social Security”. It tells the story from the 1990s until today as well as the current policies. It is divided into two major sections: the first summarizes the models, plans and programs that have systematized knowledge, practices and efforts to improve administration, such as the new model of family medicine, and the improvement of childcare and customer service. The second section puts emphasis on systems and instruments to support quality, such as the system of information management with focus on users, and the training of institutional managers through the model of evaluation and strengthening of leadership skills. Members of the CISS interested in obtaining a copy can send an e-mail to secretaria.general@ciss.org.mx.

New book on social security

A new book "Social Security Programs and Retirement around the World: Historical Trends in Mortality and Health, Employment, and Disability Insurance Participation and Reforms" edited by David A. Wise is already available. The link to the description of the book here

VIII Ibero-American Conference on Employment and Social Security

On April 23 and 24 the VIII Iberoamerican Conference of Ministers of Employment and Social Security was held in the Senate Building in Madrid, Spain. The meeting had among its objectives to promote the creation of stable, decent and quality jobs, and strengthening social protection mechanisms. Information about the Conference here and here.

The Americas Social Security Report celebrates 10 years – Fairness, Work, Retirement, and Social Protection 2012

Following with the summary of 10 years of Americas Social Security Reports, this note will discuss the Americas Social Security Report 2012 – Fairness, Work, Retirement, and Social Protection. The Report contributes to the debate over how regulations on work and retirement should be reformed, and how social security should evolve so as to make retirement a benefit and not a costly event. The Report provides statistics about main variables that characterize labor markets across the lifecycle,  summarizes the main hypothesis provided by the social sciences on the phenomenon of retirement age, and provides a detailed compilation of information and a significant actuarial analysis to obtain simple measurements of pension retirement benefits that can be compared between systems.

The Americas Social Security Report celebrates 10 years – Evaluation in Systems of Social Security 2009

Following with the summary of 10 years of Americas Social Security Reports, this note will discuss the Americas Social Security Report 2009 – Evaluation in Systems of Social Security. The Report discusses the evaluation of social security systems, understood as a way to measure and manage the activities, results and expectations. The Report focuses on presenting the most applicable approaches to the evaluation of social security and not making specific recommendations.

The Americas Social Security Report celebrates 10 years – Innovating Models of Social Insurance 2008

Following with the summary of 10 years of Americas Social Security Reports, this note will discuss the Americas Social Security Report 2008 – Innovating Models of Social Insurance. The Report provides The Report provides information about the best general operational and organizational practices, and highlights what the role of the regulators should be increasing the productivity of the social insurance programs. Identify critical aspects of general application that may help social security agencies in improve its operations, services and productivity.

The Americas Social Segurity Report celebrates 10 years - The Challenges of Aging and Disability 2006

Following with the summary of 10 years of Americas Social Security Reports, this note will discuss the Americas SocialSecurity Report 2007 – Globalization and Social Protection. The Report provides descriptive material about the phenomenon of globalization, the debates around it, the way in which international commerce negotiations have evolved, and the degree to which they affect social protection. It also analyzes the development of unemployment programs as tools of social security to protect population.

The self-employed workers may be covered by the IVSS

Yesterday was formalized in Venezuela law reform of the Venezuelan Institute of Social Security (IVSS) and the Social Security System in Venezuela. With this reform the self-employed workers can enroll in IVSS as insured, and shall be entitled to all benefits. More information here and here.

Next year social security benefits will be fully electronic

The U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) began issuing Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits electronically to new recipients last year. It is assumed that next year all benefits will be awarded this way. More information here.

Two important news about pensions in Mexico

The first news is that the Presidency of the Republic announced that from 2012 the "70 y Más" program will expand its coverage to urban areas. The program will give 500 pesos a month to adults over 70 years living in marginalized urban areas. More information here.
The second news is that CONSAR introduced a new measure of net return. The change aims to provide workers with more tools to help them in their decision to choose the most profitable fund. More information here.

Paraguay have plans to include social security to homemakers and domestic workers

The Social Security Institute (IPS) of Paraguay presented to Congress the draft law to housewives and domestic workers may receive retirement. More information here and here.

Ecuador: Increases by 21% social insurance affiliation

In Ecuador, the general compulsory security (Seguro General Obligatorio) grew to approximately 380,000 beneficiaries (21%) during 2011. According to the director of the Ecuadorian Social Security Institute (IESS) this increase is due to campaigns and processes that began 2 years ago: affiliate small, medium and large enterprises, and domestic service. More information here.

Indicators of old-age pension benefits in the Americas

Finally, Chapter 7 of the Americas Social Security Report 2012 is aimed at monitoring pension benefits with a perspective of fairness and financial sustainability. By knowing the value of future pension benefits, we can also have a proxy of the debt incurred by social security institutions and governments through their social security pension programs.

Two mail indicators of pension benefits are examined: replacement rates and pension wealth. The average gross replacement rate across CISS-member countries (exluding U.S. and Canada), salaries and gender is 48.9 (average net replacement rate is 54.3). The average gross pension wealth across the distribution of salaries in all LAC countries is 8.4 times the annual salary (average net pension wealth is 9.3)

Work for older adults, technology and health

Chapter 5 of the Americas Social Security Report 2012 discusses the extent to which older adults are able to find decent and dignified work after the age of 60, balancing technological, medical, and preventive advantages, but recognizing that illness and fragility are a really for a large portion of the population.

Under the current structure of social security schemes, individuals do not have the necessary incentives to plan renewing their professional career. To facilitate the renewal of careers is required changes in educational programs and job training, and labor laws.

Mexico: Approve the return Infonavit resources to retirees

The Senate approved amendments to the Law of Infonavit with which all workers who have not exercised their home loan may recover their contributions, enjoying a second loan and hire their loans in pesos, not minimum wages. Complete note here.