Zitatform

Brugiavini, Agar & Petru Crudu (2023): The Role of Disability Insurance on the Labour Market Trajectories of Europeans. (Working papers / Università Ca' Foscari Venezia, Dipartimento di Economia 2023,20), Venezia, 81 S.

Abstract

"This work documents the role played by disability insurance, typically part of a wider public pension provision package, on the labour market trajectories and retirement decisions. We will first employ a machine learning approach to estimate a Transition Probability Model able to uncover the most likely labour market histories and then evaluate the effects of policy reforms, including reforms to the eligibility for disability insurance benefits. The main contribution is the introduction of disability insurance programs within a framework, which models the entire life course of older Europeans. This requires the detailed administrative eligibility criteria prevailing in each of the 11 countries from 1970 to 2017. Results show that the disability route and early retirement are substitutes. In addition, tightening eligibility rules of disability programs crowd out disabled workers, whose reductions in working capacities are correctly assessed, towards other compensatory schemes (e.g., unemployment benefits or early pension) in which working is not expected. On the contrary, individuals with over-assessed reductions in working capacities are the most reactive to disability policy restrictions. In conclusion, efficient disability assessment procedures are crucial for incentivising labour market participation without hurting individuals most in need." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Di Novi, Cinzia, Paolo Paruolo & Stefano Verzillo (2022): The Role of Employment Protection Legislation Regimes in Shaping the Impact of Job Disruption on Older Workers' Mental Health in Times of COVID-19. (JRC working papers in economics and finance 2022,02), Brüssel, 32 S.

Abstract

"This study exploits individual data from the 8th wave of the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) and the SHARE Corona Survey to investigate the mental health consequences of COVID-19 job disruption across different European countries. It focuses on older workers (aged 50 and over) who were exposed to a higher risk of infection from COVID-19 and were also more vulnerable to the risk of long-term unemployment and permanent labour market exits during economic downturns. The relationship between job disruption in times of COVID-19 and older workers' mental health is investigated using differences in country-level employment legislation regimes in the EU. European countries are clustered into three macro-regions with high, intermediate and low employment regulatory protection regulations, using the Employment Protection Legislation (EPL) aggregate score proposed by the OECD. Results reveal a clear EPL gradient: job disruption has a positive and significant impact on older workers' psychological distress especially in those countries where EPL is more binding. The present findings suggest possible mitigating measures for older unemployed in the EU countries with higher Employment Protection legislation." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Hajnal, Áron & Ágota Scharle (2022): European Network of Public Employment Services: Mapping PES responses against labour market discrimination. Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union, 45 S. DOI:10.2767/40536

Abstract

"The report provides an overview of PES approaches, based on a survey conducted in 2021. It shows that in most countries, the PES mandate is limited to its general role in supporting job search and protecting jobseekers’ rights. However, some PES have a detailed and proactive anti-discrimination strategy and other PES mainstream support into their overall approach of individualised services." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Sohier, Lieze, Bart Defloor, Luc Van Ootegem & Elsy Verhofstadt (2022): Determinants of the Willingness to Retire of Older Workers in Europe. In: Social work & society, Jg. 164, H. 3, S. 1017-1041. DOI:10.1007/s11205-022-02991-w

Abstract

"Many European countries are facing the challenge of increasing the effective retirement age. Increasing the effective retirement age also requires that older employees are voluntarily willing to continue working. A worker who is willing to retire but is not allowed to retire might experience a negative impact on his or her well-being. This articles studies the determinants of the willingness to retire: the job, health, and financial situation of the older worker, and other socio-demographic characteristics. To do this, the micro data of the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe are used, which contains a binary question about willingness to retire. Based on the random effects logit estimator, we find that the job situation of the worker and the retirement of the partner are important drivers of the willingness to retire. Specifically, those willing to retire are more frequently employed in jobs that are mentally and physically demanding. They also feel less appreciated by the management or their colleagues and report to have fewer opportunities to get promotion. The willingness to retire is higher if the older worker has a retired partner. In the countries with the lowest rates of willingness to retire, the workers have better working conditions and are more easily able to make ends meet." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Abstract

"This mini toolkit presents information on concepts, tools, and practices which can support stakeholders in using European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) resources to assist in the integration of people furthest from the labour market, including long-term unemployed and inactive people, including older jobseekers. It will also demonstrate the advantages of effective partnership working including from the encouragement of consortia to develop bids." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Akgüç, Mehtap, Marta Kahancová, Jakub Kostolný & Leonie Westhoff (2021): Shaping return to work policy: Current involvement and future potential of EU social dialogue. Negotiating Return to Work in the Age of Demographic Change through Industrial Relations (REWIR) Project No. VS/2019/0075 : Deliverable 2.1. (REWIR working paper), Bratislava, 35 S.

Abstract

"This working paper examines the European Union policy framework on return to work after chronic disease and the potential for EU industrial relations actors to contribute to shaping policy in this area. It is part of the "Negotiating return to work in the age of demographic change through industrial relations (REWIR)" project." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Hinrichs, Karl (2021): Recent pension reforms in Europe: More challenges, new directions. An overview. In: Social Policy and Administration, Jg. 55, H. 3, S. 409-422. DOI:10.1111/spol.12712

Abstract

"During the last 30 years, all European Union member states have reformed their pension systems. In view of ongoing and intensifying population aging, efforts have aimed at containing the future rise of the contribution rate, improving the system dependency ratio, lowering the benefit ratio and/or infusing tax money or other financial resources into the system. Moreover, since about the early 2000s, we can observe a move towards a multi-pillar pension system in countries hitherto running a dominant-pillar system: private pre-funded occupational pensions and individual provision for old age are given larger roles within the public-private mix of retirement income. An analysis of reforms shows a finite menu of adjustment options, and concrete measures have to be adapted to nation-specific institutional contexts. Finally, we can conclude that pension reforms focusing on long-term financial sustainability may increase the risk of old-age poverty and, thus, violate a central objective of pension schemes." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku, Published by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons) ((en))

Zitatform

Melesk, Kirsti (2021): Learning in late career stages in Europe – gendered effects of retirement policies. In: Ageing & Society, Jg. 41, H. 10, S. 2191-2213. DOI:10.1017/S0144686X20000033

Abstract

"Institutional contexts shape learning participation throughout the course of life. Combining micro-data on adult education from 26 European countries with country-level indicators on retirement systems in multi-level logistic regression models, the focus is on analysis of participation in non-formal learning among people aged 50–64 and its interactions with retirement policies. The analysis makes use of the largest sample of European countries used so far for exploring the issue. For the first time, gender differences in retirement policies are considered. The results imply that for all women and highly educated men, participation in non-formal training is higher when retirement age in the country is set at 65 years or higher. However, men with less education do not profit from a higher retirement age because their training participation remains unaffected by retirement policies. In the current analysis, training participation in older age groups remains unaffected by the generosity of pensions. The results outline gender differences in learning participation in older age groups. Also, after the age of 50, men with a low education are at particular risk of labour market exclusion and unemployment because the retirement age in European countries keeps rising and technological advancements make additional demands on workers' skills." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Vandenberghe, Vincent (2021): Differentiating Retirement Age to Compensate for Career Arduousness. (GLO discussion paper / Global Labor Organization 803), Maastricht, 23 S.

Abstract

"Population ageing in Europe calls for an overall rise in the age of retirement. However, many argue that this age should be differentiated to account for individuals' career arduousness. This paper explores the relevance of this idea. It combines the 7th wave of the SHARE panel data on health at an older age and US occupational O*NET data. With these unique data it first quantifies the impact of entire career arduous- ness on health at typical retirement age, relative to other key determinants (gender, childhood health, parental longevity). It then estimates the degree of retirement age differentiation that would be needed to compensate individuals for their career-related health handicap/advantage and get closer to "real" actuarial fairness. Using the age of 65 as a reference, results point at the need for differentiation ranging from 60 to 71. But the paper also shows that systematic retirement age differentiation would fail to match a significant portion of the full distribution of health at an older age. In a world where retirement policy compensates for career-related arduousness there would still be a lot of unaccounted health differences; in particular those related to health endowment. Using variance decomposition methods, we estimate that career-arduousness represents at most 5.83% of the model-explained variance of health at an older age." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Brimblecombe, Simon & Shea McClanahan (2019): Improving gender outcomes in social security retirement systems. In: Social policy and administration, Jg. 53, H. 3, S. 327-342. DOI:10.1111/spol.12476

Abstract

"Assessing whether retirement systems meet their varying objectives requires analysing outcomes across different categories of beneficiaries with different working, financial, demographic, and family situations. Policymakers should therefore assess systems on the distribution of outcomes rather than average outcomes.
Much has been written about the gender inequalities inherent in labour markets and how these are reflected and reproduced in pension systems, and there is growing evidence that recent reforms have exacerbated these trends. Recent research has turned to the policy measures available to policymakers to forestall or reverse these trends, but this literature tends to overlook important administrative measures that have the potential to reduce inequalities in access that could improve pension outcomes for women within the current policy framework. This paper examines the main issues surrounding gender inequality in retirement outcomes; explores the implications of recent reform trends in light of the differential outcomes for women, including policy options to mitigate the negative impacts; and concludes with a review of key administrative measures, including streamlining affiliation procedures, improving information, and simplifying payment of contributions and receipt of benefits and better compliance of employers." (Author's abstract, Published by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons) ((en))

Zitatform

Phillipson, Chris (2019): 'Fuller' or 'extended' working lives? Critical perspectives on changing transitions from work to retirement. In: Ageing and society, Jg. 39, H. 3, S. 629-650. DOI:10.1017/S0144686X18000016

Abstract

"Research on older workers and retirement has yet to adjust fully to an environment influenced by a combination of demographic change, technological developments and economic recession. A key dimension to the changing relationship between ageing and work is the tension between policies to extend working life and the increasingly fragmented nature of late working life, with the emergence of varied transitions, including: bridge employment, second/third careers, part-time working, early retirement and other variations. These developments indicate both the challenge of conceptualising new forms of work-ending, and - in policy terms - the extent to which these can successfully accommodate longer working lives. The paper provides a critical perspective to the policy of extending working life and the narrative which underpins this approach. The paper argues that retirement has become a 'contested' institution in the 21st century, fragmented across different pathways and transitions affecting people in their fifties and sixties. The paper argues the case for improving work quality and security as a precondition for supporting policies for encouraging working in later life. An essential requirement for this will include linking debates on extending working life with technological developments and changes affecting the workplace, creating differentiated paths to retirement and labour force exit, enhancing the provision of training and continuing education, and re-thinking the idea of the 'older worker'." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Scharle, Ágota, Hugh Mosley & Miroslav Štefánik (2018): The role of PES in outreach to the inactive population. Study Report. Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union, 93 S. DOI:10.2767/125717

Abstract

"The inactive population is not a traditional target group for the Public Employment Services (PES), although a significant share of the inactive population wants to work and is potentially available for work. Concerns about demographic trends have made the inactive an increasingly central focus of EU labor market policy. A rapidly shrinking labour force can negatively affect the full economic potential of the Union. Since the inactive are ordinarily not clients of PES, the PES, or other actors, have to engage in outreach activities to establish a relationship to this target group. The aim of the study is to provide an overview of outreach measures for the inactive with particular reference to the role of PES. Within the framework of this small scale study, we focus more narrowly on outreach activities for three target groups among the inactive that are central to current policy discussions on increasing labor force participation and social inclusion: 1. Inactive older workers 2. Working-age women not in the labor force 3. Ethnic minorities and migrants. The first part of the study surveys existing policy regimes and outreach measures for the selected target groups, based on the existing research literature and on national and EU sources. The second part examines in greater detail outreach measures for the target groups in 6 country case studies." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Dubois, Hans, Georgiana Runceanu & Robert Anderson (2016): Extending working lives through flexible retirement schemes. Partial retirement. Dublin, 80 S. DOI:10.2806/004233

Abstract

"Many EU Member States have implemented reforms to improve the sustainability of their pension systems. However, the impact of discouraging early retirement and increasing the pension age on effective retirement ages is limited, as many people are unable or unmotivated to work until pension age. Reduction of working time is one approach to enabling people to work longer than would have been feasible if they continued working full time. But a barrier to reduction of hours is the loss of income. Partial retirement schemes address this barrier by substituting part of the income loss with a partial pension or benefits. This report investigates how partial retirement schemes can contribute to sustainable and adequate pension systems by enabling and motivating people to extend their working lives. It maps schemes at the national and sector levels in the EU and Norway, examines their characteristics and assesses their impact on the extension of working lives." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Lalé, Etienne (2016): Turbulence and the employment experience of older workers. (IZA discussion paper 10061), Bonn, 52 S.

Abstract

"This paper provides a unified account of the trends in unemployment and labor force participation pertaining to the employment experience of older male workers during the past half-century. We build an equilibrium life-cycle model with labor-market frictions and an operative labor supply margin, wherein economic turbulence à la Ljungqvist and Sargent (1998) interact with institutions in ways that deteriorate employment. The model explains simultaneously: (i) the fall in labor force participation in the United States, (ii) the similar but more pronounced decline in Europe alongside rising unemployment rates and (iii) differences across European countries in the role played respectively by unemployment and labor force participation. The model also shows that policies that fostered early retirement may have exacerbated the deterioration of European labor markets: raising early retirement incentives to reduce unemployment among older workers tends to increase unemployment at younger ages, especially in turbulent economic times and under stringent employment protection legislation." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Belloni, Michele, Agar Brugiavini, Elena Meschi & Giacomo Pasini (2015): Does training help retaining older workers into employment? Evidence from the SHARE survey. In: A. Börsch-Supan, T. Kneip, H. Litwin, M. Myck & G. Weber (Hrsg.) (2015): Ageing in Europe - Supporting policies for an inclusive society, S. 257-266. DOI:10.1515/9783110444414-025

Abstract

"The long-term increase in longevity, coupled with the progressive compression of morbidity experienced in Europe in the last decades, improved the well-being of many older individuals. However, a failure to adjust the retirement age has exposed poor households to financial distress (Angelini et al. 2009). Staying longer in the labour force may be a solution to preserve an adequate level of resources and limit the risk of economic deprivation, it is also an effective mean to maintain social ties and foster an active life. However, working longer requires investment in human capital over the life cycle (Mahyew & Rjkers 2004), as acquired skills become obsolete as time goes by. The rapid technological progress prevailing in many sectors makes training the older workforce the only effective policy to prevent skills obsolescence (Bishop 1997, Belloni & Villosio 2014).
The aim of this chapter is to investigate whether participation in training helps keeping older workers (aged 50 - 65) in employment. In particular, we use Wave 4 and Wave 5 of SHARE to test the effect of training participation in 2010 (Wave 4) on changes in labour market status between 2010 and 2012 (Wave 5), controlling for a rich set of observable individual characteristics. Information on self-reported current economic status allows us to distinguish between six labour force states: employed or self-employed, unemployed, permanently sick or disabled, retired, homemaker and 'other'. To measure training participation we exploit a question in Wave 4 (part of the module 'Activities') which asks respondents whether they attended any educational or training course in the last twelve months.
The main result of this chapter is that individuals who took part in training activities in the year prior to the 2010 (2009 for Estonia) interview are significantly less likely to leave the labour market. Training older workers may therefore prevent them from being exposed to the risk of poverty and social exclusion. This chapter is organised as follows: the next section reports the descriptive evidence regarding labour market status in the last two waves of SHARE and participation in training activities. The following section presents the results of a multivariate analysis, which aims at capturing the effect of training on the probability of exiting the labour market. The last section concludes the chapter, providing some policy implications of our analysis." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Ebbinghaus, Bernhard & Jonas Radl (2015): Pushed out prematurely? Comparing objectively forced exits and subjective assessments of involuntary retirement across Europe. In: Research in Social Stratification and Mobility, Jg. 41, H. September, S. 115-130. DOI:10.1016/j.rssm.2015.04.001

Abstract

"Given the efforts in raising the statutory pension age in an aging Europe, this cross-national analysis investigates constrained retirement from a comparative perspective. Based on a conceptualization of retirement transitions as a multi-faceted phenomenon, the study distinguishes objective (external) constraints and the subjective self-assessment of involuntary retirement. Exploiting two survey items from the fifth round of the European Social Survey (ESS Round 5, 2010/2011), we examine which workers were objectively forced to retire due to economic or health reasons as well as which workers subjectively evaluate their retirement as involuntary as they would have wished to work longer. Using multilevel modeling, the study investigates the impact of national context conditions on both the individual risk to be objectively forced to terminate work and the subjective perception of retirement as occurring too early. We analyze institutional factors such as statutory pension ages and pension generosity, but also explore the role of structural factors such as unemployment and health. At the individual level, the empirical analysis reveals that objectively forced exits and subjective involuntariness do not always overlap. Objectively forced exits are more readily explained by socio-economic characteristics like social class and unemployment experience. At the macro level, there are considerable cross-national variations that cannot be explained by compositional factors only. Relevant predictors of international differences in constrained retirement include early retirement options, statutory pension conditions, unemployment rates, labor market regulation and life expectancy." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Friedenstab, Carolin, Wolfgang Schulz-Weidner & Niko Väänänen (2015): Tätigkeitsbezogene Frührentensysteme in Europa. Die Bewertung besonderer beruflicher Belastungen. In: Deutsche Rentenversicherung, Jg. 70, H. 3, S. 183-199.

Abstract

"Im europäischen Vergleich der Alterssicherungssysteme spielen Sonderregelungen für 'schwere Berufe' immer noch - oder teilweise inzwischen wieder - eine nicht zu vernachlässigende Rolle. Vor allem sollen sie den Betroffenen unter bestimmten Voraussetzungen einen vorgezogenen Übergang in den Ruhestand ermöglichen - mit oder ohne Abschläge. Der vorliegende Beitrag gibt zunächst einen exemplarischen, das heißt keineswegs kompletten Überblick über einschlägige europäische Entwicklungen. Anschließend werden aus finnischer Sicht die grundsätzlichen und administrativen Probleme dargestellt, die mit der Einführung eines entsprechenden Systems einhergehen. Sie geben Anlass zur Forderung, anstatt des 'Exits Vorruhestand' lieber unter Einsatz aller Akteure ein Verbleiben im Arbeitsmarkt zu fördern. Dass aber auch dieser Ansatz jedenfalls in der Praxis auf seine Grenzen stoßen kann, zeigt abschließend eine von der EU-Kommission geförderte gewerkschaftliche Studie." (Autorenreferat, IAB-Doku)

Zitatform

Riedel, Monika, Helmut Hofer & Birgit Wögerbauer (2015): Determinants for the transition from work into retirement in Europe. In: IZA journal of European Labor Studies, Jg. 4, S. 1-19. DOI:10.1186/s40174-014-0027-5

Abstract

"We use the labor force ad hoc module 'transition from work into retirement' to analyze the link between individual as well as pension system characteristics and planned retirement age within the European Union. We find that timing of retirement is correlated between partners who are, already at the stage of retirement planning. In richer countries of the EU15, standard retirement age seems to have a larger effect on planned retirement age than in poorer EU15 states or in new EU member states. The effect of pension wealth is largest in the new EU member states and smallest in rich EU15 countries. Furthermore, industry and occupation effects differ by country type." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Vendramin, Patricia & Gérard Valenduc (2014): A gender perspective on older workers' employment and working conditions. (European Trade Union Institute. Working paper 2014,03), Brüssel, 65 S.

Abstract

"This working paper aims to give a structured gender analysis of the working and employment conditions of older workers (aged 50 and over). While working and employment conditions are increasingly recognised as key issues in ageing at work, gender disparities do still not get enough attention." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Abstract

"Hiring subsidies are an important measure, extensively used by Member States, to promote employment in disadvantaged-worker categories such as young and older people, the long-term unemployed and women. This review maps out the design of such subsidies, and identifies good and effective practices in targeting, funding, monitoring and integrating incentives with other policies. It is intended as a source of mutual learning and transfer of good practices between Member States." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))