Pension: World
Archives:
2001
Mercosur Chiefs Issue
Statement In Support Of Argentina (December 21,
2001)
The Presidents of Mercosur trade block countries, met
today, December 21, to express their solidarity over the
recent events in Argentina. They requested foreign aid
and called for a democratic solution to the situation.
Argentina's Senate Leader,
Puertas, Takes Power as Interim President (December
21, 2001)
After Mr. de la Rua resignation from his
presidency late Thursday, Mr. Puerta will serve as
temporary president until a legislative assembly decides
when to call for new elections in the months to come.
Mr. de la Rua blamed the opposition party of refusing to
join him in a national unity government, which led to
his resignation. Analysts predict the new government
will most likely end the Argentine peso's one-to-one
attach with the dollar. Devaluation of the peso could
mean serious bankruptcy for many Argentines.
Argentine State of
Siege Lifted as New Leader Is Being Chosen (December
21, 2001)
Yesterday after President Fernando de la Rua efforts to
unite with the opposition party were rejected, he
declared his resignation. Violent protest followed his
resignation, bringing the death tool to 21.Argentine
state of siege was lifted and its future is now in the
hands of the opposition party, who are faced with a
country lacking a coherent economic and monetary
strategy, and with no consensus as to what should be
done.
Brazil's
Real Ends At BRR2.340 (December 21,2001)
Brazilian market reaction to the Argentine meltdown was
a positive surprise. The real only slightly weakened,
and its local currency ended up BRR 2.340 to the dollar.
Brazilian President and Central Bank Chairman Arminio
Fraga said a further damage would be improbable, since
Argentine crisis has already taken place. But some
analysts do not seem to be so optimistic, they believe
more damage could come, and the real is likely to weaken
in the months to come.
Argentina's Economy
Minister Resigns;16 Killed in Anti-Government Protests
(December 20, 2001)
Sixteen people were killed and more than 150 were
injured in two days of anti- government unrest in
Argentina. Outside of the government house a 75 years
old doctor quoted “ We are fed up with corruption,
hunger and poverty, we’re living in”. “ I think that if
they don’t go, the people will kick them out.” A state
of siege was declared by the Argentine President
Fernando de la Rua for a period of 30 days to guarantee
order. Economy Minister Domingo Carvallo resigned his
post, worsening the situation. Agreement on the Budget
will be necessary to insure that the IMF will release $
1.3 billion in emergency loan.
Americas &
International Economy: Argentine budget dispute
imperils loans (December 17, 2001):
Argentine Legislators are threatening not to co-operate
with government budget plans, jeopardizing an agreement
with the IMF and bringing the country closer to default.
The Congress has to approve the 2002 budget proposal if
Argentina wants to win the IMF’s $1.26 billion funds,
which they are not willing to do. Carlos Ruckauf,
governor of Buenos Aires province agrees to the idea to
impliment a new currency a long side the dollar and the
peso, but which would not be convertible. This new
currency would replace bonds to pay workers.
Capital flight keeps
Argentine stock above water (December 12, 2001)
After last week’s imposition of banking controls, a new
fiscal package will be revealed this week to remove tax
incentives for local business. The country’s risk
premium was at a rating level that suggests investors
view default as certainty, giving strong expectations
that Argentina will have to replace its currency with
the dollar or devalue. Therefore some wealthy Argentines
are choosing to avoid these controls through the stock
market, buying shares listed in Buenos Aires and selling
it in New York, with the proceeds safely deposited in
New York Bank. Obviously, this option does not exist for
workers or the poor.
The Americas:
Argentina appropriates pension funds to pay bills risk
of default: (December 7, 2001)
The Argentine government seized $3.5 billion from
private pension to pay the bills and keep up payments.
This is because the IMF denied a loan to Argentina of $
1.6 billion, due in the middle of December because of
Argentina’s economic slow down. This way Argentina will
have to reply on the savings to be able to pay its
debts.
Brazil's
Congress Studies 22% Minimum Wage Hike For 2002
(December 7, 2001)
Brazil is now studying to increase the country’s minimum
wage by up to 22% in 2002, costing about BRR 4.5
billion. And an 11% wage hike to BRR 220 a month, which
would raise benefits that are tied to the minimum wage.
Le COR remet à
Lionel Jospin les clés d'une future réforme des
retraites (December 6, 2001)
(in French) According to a new report made for the
French government, as life expectancy is increasing,
people over 55 must be encouraged to work longer and
employers must be encouraged to hire them and not to
fire them on the basis of age. The French pension system
needs changes and strategies to be able to face or
prevent problems in the next 40 years and this is a
proposed strategy to address this issue.
La Cour européenne
de justice accorde les mêmes droits au fonctionnaire
retraité, homme ou femme (December 4, 2001)
(in French) In a judgment made on November 29, 2001, the
Court of Justice of the European Community decided that
the men retired from the civil service who brought up
children could get the same privileges for their
pensions as women. This decision is based on the
principle of equality of salaries between men and women.
A well-timed retirement
can make parting that much sweeter
(November 27, 2001)
When to retire is a personal decision, but one which
should be well planed so to be entitled to receive the
well deserved retirement check. As speculated by this
article the best date would be on the first 3 days of
the month.
Union sieht
Sozialversicherung vor dem Aus (November 21,
2001)(in German)
" Social security lies in
the intensive care unit, " warns Frederick Merz, the
German most powerful Union leader. In anticipation of
the election campaign, the Federal Government has been
reproached not for not addressing the high deficit in
the social security. It is the most terrible crisis in
40 years, said Frederick Merz and the CSU-social expert
Horst Seehofer in Berlin. They say the responsibility
for the misery carries the current government.
Le Conseil
d'orientation des retraites pousse à engager des
réformes de grande ampleur (November 21,
2001)
(In French) This article from the French newspaper Le
Monde discusses the attempted changes in the French
pension system. Representatives from unions, experts and
deputies wrote an official report with interesting
proposals.
Pension Fund Taxes To Erode
Brazil's Savings And Growth
(November 9, 2001)
Brazil’s supreme Court has ruled that the government
should impose other taxes on pension in addition to what
is already paid by the pensioners. This may cause even
more damage to the economic growth of the country, even
though it may prove the government with much of the
money need.
Retraites : une étude note
l'aspect "suicidaire" de l'attentisme
(October 15, 2001)
(in French) As reported in the French newspaper Le
Monde, a study shows us that in the next forty years,
without an important reform of the French pension
system, there will be an increase of tensions between
generations. The authors suggest that the French must
reduce the differences between young and older people to
make their present and future lives better.
Company
pensions face shortfall (August 21, 2001)
A new study revealed that the pension
schemes of many Britain workers could be face to
bankrupt.
Consumers
angry at 'pension trap' (July 31, 2001)
This story shows how the
British government is meeting huge troubles with
retirees. The personal pension they advocated wasn’t
as safe as was said. Lots of money invested in this
annuity has been lost.
Argentine
Senate approves cuts (July 30, 2001)
According to CNN News, Argentina’ Senate has approved
controversial measures designed to balance the budget
and revive the economy. The plan includes cuts up to 13
percent in pensions and public employee wages, and has
led to anger by union leaders and public workers, who
recently held a 24-hour national strike in
protest.
L'
éphéméride. Ne battons pas en retraite (July 5, 2001)
(In French) This article in L'Express discusses the
uncertain future of pensions in France. The current
pensions are based on repartition, meaning that current
pensions are paid by current incomes, symbolizing the
solidarity between generations. However, in this
article, alternative systems are discussed, such as a
pension system based on capitation or the creation of a
national pension fund, or a combination of different
systems to secure the future of pensions.
International
Labour Review (June, 2001)
This article addresses issues pension policy in Central
and Eastern Europe and social security
contributions.
Affluent
Pensioners are Part of the Norm (June 25, 2001)
Receipt of an occupational pension is one of the most
important factors which has influenced the decline in
poverty among pensioners, states The Pension Week.
Ukrainian
President Kuchma Calls the Pensioners to Leave the
Government (June 25, 2001) (in Russian).
.Kuchma calls the government representatives who are
eligible to receive pensions to leave the Government.
The Kommersant reported that these representatives were
given one of two options: either retire or give up their
salary.
Hay
80 mil Nuevos Jubilados por Temor a la Reforma (June
18, 2001)
(In Spanish) This article, printed in Clarin of
Argentina, brings attention to a current issue
concerning pensions. Since 180 thousand people will
retire this year in Argentina, a substantial number of
retirees still wonder about their government’s reforms
and how those reforms will directly affect them.
Cutting
State Holdings: A Descent Plan (June 16, 2001)
In an effort to further reform its social security
system, China has decided to implement a plan to require
all state-owned firms to contribute a percentage of
their shares to fund the national pension system. China
Daily reports that steps are being taken to make sure
that both the stock market and the private firms will
have a long term benefits from the plan.
Social
Security Network Being Woven Nationwide (June 13,
2001)
Economists believe that China now has the means to
implement a new social security system. The Beijing
Review reports that China’s current welfare system
depends on enterprises, individual workers, and the
state. Multiple sources have commented that the
government is working on updating the system to cover
pensions, medical care, and unemployment. The government
is eliciting help from the public and the state.
Demandan
Pagos (June 12, 2001)
(In Spanish) New demands for social security emerge in
Venezuela. In these four articles, published in El
Universal, retirees are insisting that they should be
given their pensions. The General Assembly extended the
outcome of the Regulatory Law for health, pension, and
social security plans, until December 31, 2001. Even
though the back pay for pensions has not been issued out
so far, this is a good step for retirees and the country
as a whole.
El
Delito de Ser Mayor (June 12, 2001)
(In Spanish) In Argentina the mismanagement of private
pensions funds has provoked the destabilization of their
social system. This article, published in La Nacion in
Argentina, reports that an alarming 3 million elderly
people will be left with no pension plan.
Welt-Lesertelefon:
Private Vorsorge ist unerlässlich (June 11, 2001)
(in German) This article, taken from Die Welt, tries to
answer some readers’ questions about the complexity of
the new German pension reform. Experts exhort Germans to
take their time before making any decisions and to
review some of the main points of the bill that may be
difficult to understand.
Mexico's
Bancrecer Calls for Pension Fund Bids (June 11, 2001)
This article in Business Week, informs on the bid for
Bancrecer-Dresdner pension fund in Mexico.
OECD praises Brazil
reforms (June 7, 2001)
After a long period of reforms Brazil is
finally experiencing economic growth, improving
inflation and opening its economy to foreign trade,
but it should not sit back since its economy is still
vulnerable. This article offers opinions on how Brazil
can try to reduce its social inequality. Cutting
pensions does not appear to be a good formula for
reducing social inequalities.
Vervroegd pensioen niet
in trek ( June 5, 2001)
According to De Standaard, only 50 percent of Belgian
officials above 55 who are eligible for early retirement
choose this option, which demonstrates that 50 percent
of officials prefer to continue working and retire at
the age of 65.
Les
Groupes Financiers Allemands Veulent Profiter de la
Reforme des Retraites ( June 1, 2001)
(in French) This article, taken from the French
newspaper Le Monde, notices the rush of German financial
groups to take advantage of the recent Pension reform.
Although the public oversight agency in charge of
certifying the new savings products has not yet even
been created, tough competition has already emerged
between professionals in the financial field. That’s why
government, labor organizations and consumer protection
warn the public against signing up for the new deals of
so many retirement plans.
Social
security reform delay could derail eurozone goals (
May 29, 2001)
This article, taken from the English version of the
Greek newspaper Kathimerini, warns the reader against
the eventual consequences of a continual delay of the
social security system reform concerning the European
Union and especially the Eurozone. The financial
services industry spokesperson made this claim while
unionists suggested higher taxes for the rich and
catching “deadbeats” who had avoided paying their
contributions. And this “social security time bomb” can
explode at any moment if the reform isn’t introduced
soon, what necessitates an agreement within the
population.
Welke
rol is er voor 50-plussers in de actieve
welvaartstaat? ( May 24, 2001)
(In Dutch) In light of the European policy to achieve an
employment activity rate of 70 percent by the year 2010,
the Belgian government has provided incentives to
reallocate older persons to the working market according
to De Standaard. As such, employees are enticed to avoid
early retirement and older persons are provided with
equal opportunities.
Actieplan
moet sociale zekerheid toegankelijker maken (
May 23, 2001)
(In Dutch) According to De Standaard the Belgian
government has adopted an action plan to simplify the
Belgian Social Security system to improve access and to
obtain a more client-focused system. One of the measures
taken in view of this action plan is the automatic
provision of pensions to beneficiaries which will
guarantee them an income when they reach pension
age.
"Ein
Vorbild fuer die Amerikaner" ( May 22, 2001)
(in German) This article, taken from the German
newspaper Die Welt, reports an interview with Joseph
Stiglitz, who has worked at the World Bank and earlier
in Clinton’s administration. He recommends that the USA
consider the German social reform as a model because of
its combination of capitalization and the protection of
those placements by the government. But would it be a
successful example for the first democracy having
transformed the basic principles of its social system?
Only the future can tell us.
Nouveaux
Regimes de Retraite ( May 22, 2001)
(in French) This article, excerpt from the French
newspaper Le Monde, is a clear analysis of the social
reform occurred in three European countries (Luxembourg,
Germany, Sweden). From these three different examples it
can be concluded that, however the reform is conducted,
it necessarily implies transitory measures to gain
people’s trust, added to measures in favor of the
poorest.
La
nécessité d'une réforme des retraites (May 18, 2001)
(in French) According to a survey, in France, in 2011,
the population under 20 will be less numerous than the
population over 60. The French government is looking at
reforms in the pension system to face this decrease of
workers who pay for the larger number of pensioners.
Und
ewig lockt das Ruhegeld ( May 18, 2001)
(in German) This article, taken from Die Zeit, tries to
make the reader understand how the German pension reform
will be applied. With the new law in place,
consideration must be given to sales practices. Besides,
the authors underscore the delay of a new administration
that will be responsible for checking the practices of
private insurance companies. Even if they believe in the
large investment in private pensions, they warn the
German population not to invest in the first presented
contract. Rather, they advise people to compare the
offers to avoid unscrupulous tricks.
La nécessité d'une réforme des
retraites (May 18, 2001)
According to a survey,
in France, in 2011, the population under 20 will be
less numerous than the population over 60. The French
government is looking at reforms in the pension system
to face this decrease of workers who pay for the
larger number of pensioners.
Proposal
to reform the French pension system (diagnostic
phase)( May 17, 2001)
This text, taken from the web site “The International
Reform monitor” (www.reformmonitor.org),
analyses clearly the stakes of the proposed reform of
the French pension system. Knowing the urgency of
solving one of the biggest demographic world issues,
France needs to rethink its traditional pension schemes,
what will include, according to this proposal, a gradual
increase of the duration of the contributions. But the
agreement is still far from being reached.
GSEE
to press home advantage (
May 15, 2001)
This text, selected from the English edition of the
Greek newspaper Kathimerini, is announcing the general
strike of the 17th May. The strike will assert the
claims of the Trade union umbrella body about social
security reform. While the government favors lowering
pensions and putting off the retirement age, the ruling
union, called the General Confederation of Greek Labor
(GSEE), and the popular opposition want an increase of
state financial support. Moreover, the population seems
very concerned about this reform, as the strong
mobilization will show for the second strike in three
weeks. Besides, an interesting point of view from the
former national economic Minister, Giorgos Soufflias, is
to be noticed in another article taken from the same
newspaper.
L'Allemagne
introduit une dose d'épargne individuelle pour
réformer ses retraites ( May 13, 2001)
(in French) This text, published in Le Monde, reports
the definitive adoption of the German pension reform by
the "Bundesrat", which is the higher chamber of the
Parliament. This reform, considered as a political
victory of Schroeder’s government, means a complete
revolution within the traditional system of assistance
for elder people. In fact, it introduces a part of
individual capitalization based on voluntarism, which
will be helped financially by the government at the
beginning.
Germany passes Law
setting up System of Private Penions (May 11, 2001)
(In German) This article in Die Welt discusses the new
German law, which introduces a historic revision of the
country’s pension system. As such, the new law will
allow taxpayers to make their own decisions on where
some of their retirement funds are invested. The new
German pension law will function as a “second pillar
that will help to keep the roof over the German pension”
according to Chancellor Schröder.
Volkswagen joue les
éclaireurs en matière de retraite (May 10, 2001)
(in French) This article, published in the French
newspaper Le Monde, reports the "bold" initiative
undertaken by the German automaker Volkswagen, which has
decided to implement a pension fund based on the
Anglo-Saxon model before the new law on pension funds
has even been adopted (see article: La métallurgie
allemande s'empare de la loi sur les fonds de pension).
Workers will still have the possibility to choose
between the two systems but will they reap the benefits
of such a change? One thing is sure: this will
definitely alleviate the labor costs for Volkswagen...
La métallurgie
allemande s'empare de la loi sur les fonds de pension
(May 10, 2001)
(in French) In this article, published in the French
newspaper Le Monde, Germany is about to adopt a new law
aiming at widely introducing pension funds in the
workplace. One of the most powerful metallurgy trade
union in Germany in cooperation with the employers'
union already intend to introduce a pension fund based
on the Anglo-Saxon paradigm. Will this across-the-board
privatization ever stop? Obviously, for the time being,
it is on the wrong track.
Retraite,
mode d'emploi (May 7, 2002)
In this article from a French newspaper, Le Figaro
Economie, you will find an explanation of the French
pension system. As the French population is aging,
politicians and citizens are considering reforms …
Retirement
Funds Enter Market, 養老基金短期難入市(May 6, 2001)
(in Chinese) Mingpao News reports that the Chinese
government is considering putting its retirement mutual
funds on the market. Critics believe that the
stock market is weak, offers limited choices, and has
yet to reach a stable level. The potential risk
involved with the current market leads some experts to
fear that seniors will lose their hard earned money.
Un 1er
mai dédié aux conflits sociaux (May 1, 2001)
(in French) This article, from Le Monde, shows that
the workers day’s parade in France was organized this
year in a context of crisis. The trade unions’ first
preoccupation was the fight against employers who fired
thousands of people while their firms got huge benefits.
Despite the context, trade unions claimed retirement
after 37 years of work.
Les
grands patrons français réfléchissent déjà à
l'après-Seillière (April 27, 2001)
(in French) This article, from Le Monde, shows the
difficulties of the president of MEDEF. Mr.
Seillière must face to the problems of management in his
own business and the critics of his strategy of conflict
with the trade unions. Repudiated by Employer
association members, he had urged them to withhold
contributions to workers’ retirement programs.
La
réunion à huit clos où M. Seillière a été désavoué
(April 27, 2001)
(in French) This article, from Le Monde, shows the
debate among the French employers over their president,
Mr. Seillière, who did not want to pay the contributions
due to the retirement funds. By boycotting the
contributions, Mr. Seillière proposed to force trade
unions to accept changes in the entire system of
retirement. However, his membership failed to follow his
lead. The president of MEDEF will now pay the
contributions. French employers have shown that they
prefer discussion, not force, in order to modify the
retirement system.
Alain Juppé estime que
la retraite reste une "grenade dégoupillée" (April 25,
2001)
(in French) This article, published in Le Monde, reports
Alain Juppé's point of view on the retirement issue. By
the time he was the right-of center Prime Minister, in
1995, he experienced mounting social unrest owing to his
policies. Now, he is preparing a project for 2002,
advocating a sweeping reform of the pension system, not
eschewing pension funds. Would his current ideas be
better than the former one? Details in this article.
Europese Commissie wil
fiscale hindernissen pensioenrechten ruimen (April 19,
2001)
(In Dutch) According to De Standaard, the European
Commission has implemented a policy to eliminate tax
discrimination with regard to pension payments across
the borders of the European Union. As such, the European
Commission will investigate the legislation of the
member states to trace possible discrimination, and will
take legal action if necessary.
Social partners
willen pensioen voor iedereen (April 19, 2001)
(In Dutch) According to De Financiële Telegraaf, social
partners in the Netherlands have submitted an advisory
report to the Dutch government stating that every
employee in the Netherlands should be able to establish
a pension and it should be regulated in the individual
employee contracts.
Le gouvernement grec
lance timidement la réforme du régime des retraites
(April 19, 2001)
(in French) This article, written by the Agence France
Presse, reports the launching of the reform on
retirement by the Greek government, rather bashfully.
Though the government has made a point in arguing that
privatization would no be the solution. The State will
still play a predominant role by contributing to
financing the retirement system.
Pension
posers (April 16, 2001)
This article, published in the British newspaper The
Guardian, reports a further step made by Tony Blair's
government towards pension privatization. Whether this
is a good sign is less certain as this article
shows.
Comment
remplacer les cadres du baby-boom ? (April 14, 2001)
(in French) In this article, published in the French
newspaper Le Monde, the issue of baby-boomers going on
retirement is at stake. Companies have to find ways to
offset this trend characterized by three factors: the
retirement of many baby-boomers, the virtual dearth of
recruitment during the 1990's, and low fertility
rate.
No
German children? Then pay up (April 5, 2001)
Starting with a ruling implying a father with ten
children, this article, published in The
Economist, questions the pay-as-you-go system
deemed unconstitutional since it may not promote the
family. The Constitutional Court has decided now to
penalize families with few children urging them to pay
more, since they are considered as preventing the number
of future contributors to being maintained. The main
challenge being pensions.
Korea to
Use Pension Money to Bolster Its Stock Market (April
5, 2001)
This article, published in The New York Times,
describes how the Korean government is using pension
money to bolster its stock market, which it has declined
to its lowest level since the economic crisis in 1998.
The National Pension Fund and smaller funds are going to
put $4.4 billion into the stock market.
Pour assurer votre
retraite, faites le plus possible d'enfants allemands (April 4, 2001)
(in French) This article, published in the French daily
newspaper Le Monde, reports the quandary facing Germany.
In this country, where everything is done for retirees,
families feel left behind. This article shows the
example of a man, who is the father of ten children, and
who thinks that having lots of children is the best way
to secure his retirement.
Alternance
2002 : un projet pour l'opposition (extraits) (April
4, 2001)
(in French) Excerpts from an article published in the
French newspaper Le Monde. It deals with a sort of
“sandwich plan” proposed by the right wing party for the
2002 elections in France. This particular excerpt is
devoted to the crucial issue of retirement, assessing
the current situation, the flaws of the socialist
government’s action when tackling the issue and the
propositions of the right-wing party.
Pensions
for beginners (April 2, 2001)
Choosing the right pension system gives English people a
headache : pensions for divorcees, personal pension
mis-representation, annuities, with-profit annuities…
Retraites:
manifestation samedi à Paris (March 30, 2001)
This article sent by the AFP (Agence France Presse), a
French agency, providing news for different newspapers,
reports a demonstration by trade unions, regarding
retirement, advocating the age of retirement at 60.
The following website provides
you with the latest developments on the retirement
reform, which is under way in Germany: http://www.bundesregierung.de.
Rights-Brazil:
The Stigma of Old Age ( March 22, 2001)
This article, taken from the World News Inter Press
Service explains how the weakening of social security
systems, a tendency seen worldwide, is making the lives
of the increasingly numerous elderly more and more
unhappy, according to their few defenders in
Brazil. It reveals how the elderly population is
often seen as a burden or nuisance in the eyes of the
younger generation. Elder abuse has become more common.
Des
retraites plus coûteuses (March 22, 2001)
In France, the pension system is divided between the
public and the private sector. But the public sector’s
system (civil servants, for example) is more expensive..
L'Allemagne a
instauré les retraites par capitalisation (March 19,
2001)
(in French) In this article, from Le Monde Economie,
reports the implications encompassed in the German
reform, which has to be thoroughly implemented by 2002.
Details on what this reform means for wage earners due
to the reduction of retirement benefits allocated by the
State in this article.
La bombe à retardement de
Frédéric le Grand (March 19, 2001)
(in French) This article, published in the French
newspaper Le monde Economie, raises the issue of the
retirement benefits of civil servants. Considered too
high for some people, the global amount should increase
due to the increased lifespan and the number of retired
people, who used to work in the 70's. Currently and
until 2013, civil servants must save 0.2% of their
salary increase to finance their self-funded retirement
plans and alleviate increases of retirement benefits and
wages.
" D'ici
2050, sans immigration, la population européenne
devrait se réduire d'un cinquième " (March 19, 2001)
(in French) Le Monde Economie gives useful
information on the European situation regarding
retirement with a special emphasis on Germany. This
country, more than any other, will experience numerous
hurdles if it does not take into account the plunge in
fertility, foreign labor force and further factors which
may alter the gloomy outlook.
Un dossier délicat pour
le futur gouvernement italien (March 19, 2001)
(in French) This article, published in the French
newspaper Le Monde Economie, gives a general review of
the Italian situation regarding retirement and
highlights the need for additional reforms of the
system. In the aftermath of a report from the
Commission, it has been underscored that Italy and five
EU member states should implement reforms.
Questions-réponses (March
19, 2001)
(in French) This article, published in the French
newspaper Le Monde Economie, provides an extremely good
analysis of the situation in Europe concerning
retirement through a set of questions and answers, with
a special overview in Germany.
Les
fonds de pension volent au secours des prestations
versées par les entreprises (March 19, 2001)
(in French) This article, published in the French daily
newspaper Le Monde, reports a further step towards the
old-age system reform in Germany, where the introduction
of pension funds is now likely to be based on the
Anglo-Saxon model.
En
Suisse, le paradis des retraités n'est plus ce qu'il
était (March 12, 2001)
(in French) This article, published in the French daily
newspaper Le Monde, reports the current change in the
way of living of many rich retirees in Switzerland. Due
to a closer look at tax heavens from both French
and Swiss governments more transparency is now required
and the notorious Swiss banking secret might
become outdated.
Le
gouvernement engage la réforme de l'aide aux personnes
âgées (March 7, 2001)
(in French) This article reports a forthcoming
reform concerning the help provided to the elderly,
which should be implemented from January 1, 2002 in
France. The French newspaper, Le Monde, provides further
details.
A
comprehensive report on the pension issue in France
from the MEDEF's point of view, the most powerful
employer's union (March 5, 2001)
(in French)
Retraites
: le vrai problème c'est le chômage (March 3, 2001)
(in French) This article, published in the French
newspaper Le Monde, contemplates the difficulties
stemming from the mounting number of elderly people and
the potential burden on the working population. The
journalist considers different solutions.
La retraite, pas la
déroute! (February 2001)
(in French) This article, published in the French
newspaper Le Monde Diplomatique, analyzes the notion of
retirement and its perception within the society
nowadays. An excellent thought tackling the hurdles
inherent in the notion.
Drôle
de guerre pour les retraites (February 28, 2001)
(in French) After long negotiations, the French
employers organization (Medef) has concluded an
agreement with the five main trade unions to report the
retirement's reform in two years (see "Dossiers sur les
retraites en France", February 10, 11 and 12, 2001).
But, in the agreement, the employers do not have to pay
contributions due at the beginning of 2001 in order to
sustain the financial structure of the pension system.
In this round, Medef won and the workers lost. As the
author points out, the Medef strategy was a poison pill
for the workers and put tremendous pressure on the
pension reserves. Le Monde reports.
Die
Rente heute und in dreißig Jahren (February 27, 2001)
(in German) This article, taken from the German
newspaper Suddeutsche Zeitung, gives an interesting
overview of pensions now and their evolution until the
year in 2030. A chart illustrate the information
given.
Fünf
Fragen und fünf Antworten (February 27, 2001)
(in German) This article, published in the German
newspaper Suddeutsche Zeitung, provides useful
information about the pension reform, which is currently
under way in Germany, through a set of questions and
answers. It explains the reasons why a reform is
necessary, the evolution of pensions, the future of
widows' pensions and other questions related to the
subject.
Retraites:
l'avenir est au départ à la carte (February 21,
2001)
(in French) This article, published in the French daily
newspaper Libération, reports the dilemma facing
France concerning retirement. On February 10, 2001 the
deal clinched between the three employers' unions and
the two trade unions set up a second round of
negotiations due to end by December 31, 2002.Taking time
to think will be key to the success of this new round.
Les start-up misent sur le 4e
âge (February 20, 2001)
There are 2 Million
old persons seen as "dependent" in France. Suffering
from a physical or mental handicap, their families
have to find appropriate solutions. Two French language internet
websites provide much information necessary for
improving the
welfare of seniors.
Pensions
logjam (February 18, 2001)
This article, published in The Financial Times, assesses
the pension reform which is under way in Germany. The
article shows the political imbroglio triggered by this
reform.
Begin
at birth - but it's never too late (February 18, 2001)
From your birth to your sixties, this British
article gives you all the tips for a secure retirement.
For example, in your twenties, if your debts are under control, you should turn
toward an employer’s scheme. In your thirties, this is
the moment to act if you want to have a pension
“equivalent to between half and two-thirds of your
income."
Renten
gut, alles gut?(February 18, 2001)
(in German) This article, published in the daily German
newspaper Suddeutsche Zeitung, reports the thorny
situation facing German political parties concerning
pensions. The article raises the question of knowing
whether the social system should give more freedom
of choice.
Happily
ever after (February 17, 2001)
“Companies
are paying their directors enhanced pensions in the good
years as part of burgeoning pay and perks packages,
while employees in the same scheme rely on clocking up
their years of service.” The UK government believes that
forcing companies to become more transparent around
perks packages will embarrass them into dropping
ludicrous schemes that cannot be justified by profits.
But the fact is still there: Glaxo Smithkline for
example is due to give its chief executive Jean-Pierre
Garnier a pension of £700,000…($ 1,000,000)
Pensions
in Brazil (February 15, 2001)
In this article, pensions in Brazil are under the
limelight. In a country where few people are saving
money for old age and pension funds are surging, Brazil
has witnessed the sprouting of pension funds. Without
any regulation, these pension fund companies wield
significant power and sometimes go hand in hand with
corruption. The Economist reports.
Compulsory retirement
may be banned (February 13, 2001)
This article, published in The Daily Telegraph, gives
the latest details on a European directive conducive to
the ban of a mandatory retirement age by 2006. More
generally, this directive tackles the issue of age
discrimination in the workplace.
Dossier
sur les retraites en France (February 10,11 and 12,
2001)
(in French) After a long negotiation, the French
employers’ union (MEDEF) concluded an agreement with the
five main trade unions (CGT, CFTC, CTFC, FO and CGT) to
report the retirement reform in two years. Indeed, MEDEF
had proposed to raise the age of retirement to 65 years
instead of the current 60 years. Facing hard opposition
of the trade unions, MEDEF was forced to negotiate an
agreement. MEDEF agreed to guarantee the 60 years old
retirement age for two years along with the same
conditions of retirement to future retirees. But, in
return, MEDEF wants the trade unions to put pressure on
the government for a global reform of retirement. Le
Monde reports.
Retraites:
la polémique de l'urgence (February 9, 2001)
(in French) This article, published in the French daily
newspaper Le Monde, reports the likelihood of
revising the Charpin Plan, proposed by Mr. Charpin in
1998 to the French government. At that time, he had
based his report on forecasts that did not not take into
account the improvement of the economic situation in
France. Now, in the light of the favorable economic
environment which seems to stalk France,
difficulties have been postponed.
Employers
face £ 10 bill after pension ruling (February 8, 2001)
This article, published in The Financial Times, gives
details on a ruling, which will urge employers to
provide reparation to the part-time workers, mostly
women, who have been deprived of pension rights, some
since 1976.
L'avenir
de la "refondation sociale" est suspendu au dossier
des retraites (February 8, 2001)
(in French) This article, published in the daily French
newspaper Le Monde, reports the aftermath of a meeting,
which took place lately. The meeting was quite decisive
since it will be followed by a round of
negotiations on a thorny issue: retirement.
Sollen
auch Beamte und Selbstandige in die gesetzliche
Rentenversicherung einzahlen? (February 7, 2001)
(in German) This article, published in the German daily
newspaper Suddeutsche Zeitung, raises the question of
whether or not the civil servants and liberal profession
should be included in the reform concerning old age
systems because the young generation is expected to bear
the finanacial burden of supporting retirees.
1912:
La retraite à 60ans! (February 5, 2001)
(in French) This article, published in the French
newspaper Le Monde Economie, analyses the 1910 Bill,
altered in 1912, which implemented the reduction of the
retirement age from 65 to 60 years old.
On the following website, you
will be able to find interesting information on the
subject:
Strike
to Retire (February 1, 2001)
This article, taken from The Economist, shows the ambit
of the conflict concerning retirement in France, pitting
employers against trade unions.
La
retraite à 70 ans (February 1, 2001)
(in French) This article, published in the French daily
newspaper Libération, highlights the need for
politicians to implement a reform of old-age systems
considering the baby boomers. The need for such a reform
stems from the huge number of baby boomers and the
forthcoming difficulty for the young generation to
support retirees.
Retraites: Les
Allemands capitaliseront (January 27-28, 2001)
(in French) This article, published in the French daily
newspaper Libération, reports the latest information
about the reform of old age systems in Germany. The
draft, which has been lately adopted, will reduce
the amount of benefits but the State will help wage
earners to offset this imbalance. This is another step
towards the privatization of pensions.
Le Québec
réinvente le fonds de pension (January 26, 2001)
(in French) In Quebec (Canada), the main trade union,
Fédération des travailleurs du Québec (FTQ), has created
an original pension fund in order to maintain
employment. On 3,7 millions of working people, more that
426 000 give their money to this fund, which has
invested 2,5 billion of Canadian dollars in 1600 firms,
saving or creating 90 000 jobs. While the short-term
results have benefited union members in a strong
economy, one must assess the benefits in an economic
downturn. Le Monde reports.
Le
Medef pourrait-il abandonner la partie?(January 26,
2001)
(in French) This article, published in the French daily
newspaper Libération, reports the latest position of the
Medef on an topical issue: retirement, which is in
France referred as a "poisoned gift". The Medef, an
employee union, which has threatened to put an end to
the retirement age at 60, might give up on the subject
if it eschews to accept an union agreement.
L'Allemagne
adopte une loi introduisant des fonds de pension
(January 26, 2001)
( in French) This article, published in Le Monde, gives
the latest details concerning the reform of old-age
systems, which is under way in Germany. This
topical issue raises many concerns among trade unions
and political parties resisting change.
Kein
Konsens bei der Rentenreform (January 16, 2001)
(in German) European countries seem to have paved the
way towards sweeping reforms of old-age security
systems. Though Germany appeared to be far ahead
in this field, there is a major bone of contention
between the national different political parties: the
level of pensions. The latter impedes any kind of
consensus so far. The following article, published in
Suddeutsche Zeitung, gives the latest details.
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