Social pension

A social pension (also known as a non-contributory pension) is a regular cash transfer to older people. Eligibility is based on age and citizenship/residency, and almost always on means such as income, assets or other pension income. Over 100 countries in the world have some form of social pension, although design varies significantly.[1] [2] [3]

Citizen's pension

The term "citizen's pension" (known also as universal pension, demogrant or categorical pension) is used to describe a social pension that realises the right to basic income in old age.[4] Citizen's pensions are based in law and provide cash transfers to older people subject only to tests of age and citizenship/residency, never income, assets or other pension income. A citizen's pension is not a retirement pension. There is no income test, so it is not necessary to stop working to receive it.

Some researchers[5] apply the term "citizen's pension" to social pensions that exclude - partially or totally - older people with other pension income, irrespective of their non-pension income or wealth. "Universal minimum pension" is a better description of such a scheme, which tops up small pensions and provides full, basic pensions only to those with no other pension income.

See also

References

  1. ↑ HelpAge International Pension watch country fact file http://www.pension-watch.net/country-fact-file/
  2. ↑ HelpAge International Social Pensions Database http://www.pension-watch.net/about-social-pensions/about-social-pensions/social-pensions-database/
  3. ↑ http://www.pension-watch.net/pensions/about-social-pensions/about-social-pensions/social-pensions-around-the-world/
  4. ↑ http://larrywillmore.net/SocialPensions.pdf
  5. ↑ http://www.pension-watch.net/pensions/key-debates/key-debates/citizens-pensions/

External links