Zitatform

Bennmarker, Helge, Oskar Nordström Skans & Ulrika Vikman (2013): Workfare for the old and long-term unemployed. In: Labour Economics, Jg. 25, H. December, S. 25-34. DOI:10.1016/j.labeco.2013.04.008

Abstract

"We estimate the effects of conditioning benefits on program participation among older long-term unemployed workers. We exploit a Swedish reform which reduced UI duration from 90 to 60 weeks for a group of older unemployed workers in a setting where workers who exhausted their benefits received unchanged transfers if they agreed to participate in a work practice program. Our results show that job finding increased as a result of the shorter duration of passive benefits. The time profile of the job-finding effects suggests that the results are due to deterrence during the program-entry phase. We find no impact on ensuing job durations or wages, suggesting that the increased job-finding rate was driven by increased search intensity rather than lower reservation wages. A crude cost - benefit analysis suggests that the reform reduced the combined cost of programs and transfers." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Hochman, Oshrat & Noah Lewin-Epstein (2013): Determinants of early retirement preferences in Europe. The role of grandparenthood. In: International Journal of Comparative Sociology, Jg. 54, H. 1, S. 29-47. DOI:10.1177/0020715213480977

Abstract

"Various family characteristics are acknowledged as important determinants of retirement preferences. Yet, the relevance of the third family generation - the grandchildren - has been largely overlooked. In this article we bring the association between grandparenthood and retirement preferences to the fore. We expect to find such a relationship for two main reasons: first, rising participation rates in the labor market, especially among mothers, increases the need for childcare which, in some countries, is only partially provided by the state. Second, for many people grandparenthood marks the transition to a new phase in the life-course, implying new role-identities. We thus expect grandparenthood to decrease anxieties associated with retirement and with the potential loss of one's role-identity as a working person. We test the association between grandparenthood and retirement preferences using data from the Survey of Health, Aging, and Retirement in Europe (SHARE). The findings confirm that grandparenthood increases an individual's chances of looking forward to retiring early, thus supporting the claim that individuals' lives are linked to the lives of their family members. Contrary to expectations, the association of grandparenthood with retirement preferences is particularly strong in countries that provide extensive childcare support." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Lammers, Marloes, Hans Bloemen & Stefan Hochguertel (2013): Job search requirements for older unemployed: transitions to employment, early retirement and disability benefits. In: European Economic Review, Jg. 58, H. February, S. 2013. DOI:10.1016/j.euroecorev.2012.11.003

Abstract

"We use a recent policy change in the Netherlands to study how changes in search requirements for the older unemployed affect their transition rates to employment, early retirement and sickness/disability benefits. The reform, becoming effective on January 1 2004, requires the elderly to formally report their job search efforts to the employment office in order to avoid a (temporary) cut in benefits. Before the new law was passed, unemployed individuals were allowed to stop all search activity at the moment they turned 57.5. Estimating various duration models using difference-in-difference and regression discontinuity approaches, we find that for several groups of individuals who are affected by the policy change, the stricter search requirements significantly increases their entry rate into employment. However, we also find evidence of a higher outflow to sickness/disability insurance schemes, a presumably unwanted side-effect of the policy change." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Müller, Andreas, Annet H. de Lange, Matthias Weigl, Caroline Oxfart & Beatrice I. J. M. van der Heijden (2013): Compensating losses in bridge employment? Examining relations between compensation strategies, health problems, and intention to remain at work. In: Journal of vocational behavior, Jg. 83, H. 1, S. 68-77. DOI:10.1016/j.jvb.2013.03.002

Abstract

"In order to better understand the precursors of bridge employment, this study aimed to investigate whether individual action strategies in terms of selection, optimization, and compensation (SOC; Baltes & Baltes, 1990) are able to buffer the well-known negative impact of poor health on the intention to remain in the workforce. 784 employees (60-85 years, 74.8% male) affiliated with a temporary employment agency that specifically contracts employees older than 65 participated in a cross-sectional survey. Results of moderated hierarchical regression analyses indicated that for older employees with high use of SOC there was no significant relationship between health status and intention to remain in bridge employment. However, for older employees with low use of SOC, there was a weaker intention to remain in bridge employment when their health status was poor, while this intention was stronger in case of a better health status. On closer examination of the SOC subdimensions, this moderating effect was especially due to the compensation behavior of these older workers. As a conclusion, SOC seems to mitigate the detrimental effects of health problems on older employees' intention to remain in bridge employment. From a practical perspective, these findings provide important suggestions for the development of practical measures for the tertiary prevention of poor health during the retirement process." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Bloemen, Hans, Stefan Hochguertel & Marloes Lammers (2011): Job search requirements for older unemployed. Transitions to employment, early retirement and disability benefits. (IZA discussion paper 5442), Bonn, 49 S.

Abstract

"In this paper, we use a recent policy change in the Netherlands to study how changes in search requirements for the older unemployed affect their transition rates to employment, early retirement and sickness/disability benefits. The reform, becoming effective on January 1st 2004, required the elderly to formally report their job search efforts to the employment office in order to avoid a (temporary) cut in benefits. Before the new law was passed, unemployed were allowed to stop all search activity at the moment they turned 57.5. Estimating various duration models using difference-in-difference and regression discontinuity approaches, we find that for several groups of individuals that were affected by the policy change, the stricter search requirements did significantly increase their entry rate into employment. However, we also find evidence of a higher outflow to sickness/disability insurance schemes, a presumably unwanted side-effect of the policy change." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Eichhorst, Werner (2011): The transition from work to retirement. (IZA discussion paper 5490), Bonn, 25 S.

Abstract

"The European Employment Strategy has set the goal of raising the retirement age of workers in the EU through a strategy of 'active ageing'. Yet despite some progress over the last decade, empirical data show persistent diversity across EU member states. Institutional arrangements of social and labor market policies can be seen as the core factors behind cross-national diversity. Hence, institutional change is crucial to explain structural changes. The paper tries to assess the role of supranational policy initiatives and national politicoeconomic factors in shaping the transition from work to retirement in EU member states which is still governed by the national political economy. Taking the German case as an example in point, the paper shows the dynamic interaction between policy changes, in particular in benefit systems and activation, and changes in the approach of firms and workers to early retirement. Policy changes influence actors' behavior in the medium run and open up opportunities for subsequent reforms." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Ours, Jan C. van & Sander Tuit (2010): How changes in unemployment benefit duration affect the inflow into unemployment. (IZA discussion paper 4691), Bonn, 21 S.

Abstract

"We study how changes in the maximum benefit duration affect the inflow into unemployment in the Netherlands. Until August 2003, workers who became unemployed after age 57.5 were entitled to unemployment benefits until the age of 65, after which they would receive old age pensions. This characteristic made it attractive for workers to enter unemployment shortly after age 57.5 rather than shortly before. Indeed, we find a peak in the inflow into unemployment for workers after age 57.5. From August 2003 onwards the maximum benefit durations were reduced. We find that shortly after 2003 the peak in the inflow disappeared." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Tuit, Sander & Jan C. van Ours (2010): How changes in unemployment benefit duration affect the inflow into unemployment. In: Economics Letters, Jg. 109, H. 2, S. 105-107. DOI:10.1016/j.econlet.2010.08.013

Abstract

"We study the effect of an unexpected reduction in maximum unemployment benefit duration on the inflow into unemployment of elderly workers in the Netherlands. We analyze the reduction as if it was a natural experiment finding substantial effects." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Angelini, Viola, Agar Brugiavini & Guglielmo Weber (2009): Ageing and unused capacity in Europe: is there an early retirement trap? In: Economic policy, Jg. 24, H. 59, S. 463-508.

Abstract

"We address the issue of how early retirement may interact with limited use of financial markets in producing financial hardship later in life, when some risks (such as long-term care) are not insured. We argue that the presence of financially attractive early retirement schemes in a world of imperfect financial and insurance markets can lead to an 'early retirement trap'. Indeed, Europe witnesses many (early) retired individuals in financial distress. In our analysis we use data on 10 European countries, which differ in their pension and welfare systems, in prevailing retirement age and in households' access to financial markets. We find evidence that an early retirement trap exists, particularly in some Southern and Central European countries: people who retired early in life are more likely to be in financial hardship in the long run. Our analysis implies that governments should stop making early retirement attractive, let retirees go back to work, improve access to financial markets and make sure long-term care problems are adequately insured." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Dalen, Hendrik P. van, Kène Henkens & Joop Schippers (2009): Dealing with older workers in Europe. A comparative survey of employers' attitudes and actions. In: Journal of European social policy, Jg. 19, H. 1, S. 47-60. DOI:10.1177/0958928708098523

Abstract

"This article addresses employers' attitudes and actions regarding the position of older workers. A comparative survey among employers from four European countries - Greece, Spain, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom - is used to examine their expectations with respect to the ageing of the workforce, the productivity of older workers and their recruitment and retention behaviour regarding this cohort. The results show that in spite of the perceived challenges ahead (including the ageing workforce), employers take no substantial measures to retain and recruit older workers or improve their productivity. Only employers in the United Kingdom seem to recognize older workers as a valuable source of labour supply and act accordingly." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Gruber, Jonathan, Kevin Milligan & David A. Wise (2009): Social security programs and retirement around the world. The relationship to youth employment. Introduction and summary. (NBER working paper 14647), Cambridge, Mass., 74 S. DOI:10.3386/w14647

Abstract

"This is the introduction and summary to the fourth phase of an ongoing project on Social Security Programs and Retirement Around the World. The first phase described the retirement incentives inherent in plan provisions and documented the strong relationship across countries between social security incentives to retire and the proportion of older persons out of the labor force. The second phase documented the large effects that changing plan provisions would have on the labor force participation of older workers. The third phase demonstrated the consequent fiscal implications that extending labor force participation would have on net program costs-reducing government social security benefit payments and increasing government tax revenues. This volume presents the results of analyses of the relationship between the labor force participation of older persons and the labor force participation of younger persons in twelve countries. Why countries introduced plan provisions that encouraged older persons to leave the labor force is unclear. After the fact, it is now often claimed that these provisions were introduced to provide more jobs for the young, assuming that fewer older persons in the labor force would open up more job opportunities for the young. Now, the same reasoning is often used to argue against efforts in the same countries to reduce or eliminate the incentives for older persons to leave the labor force, claiming that the consequent increase in the employment of older person would reduce the employment of younger persons. The validity of such claims is addressed in this volume." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Ernst, Ekkehard & Timo Teuber (2008): The Dutch tax-benefit system and life-cycle employment. Outcomes and reform options. (OECD Economics Department working papers 617), Paris, 25 S. DOI:10.1787/241422478448

Abstract

"An overlapping-generations model with search unemployment is calibrated for the Netherlands to assess the impact of tax-benefit reforms on labour supply. Several reforms are analysed, in particular the introduction of a flat tax and pension reforms. The model demonstrates the potential of these reforms to raise labour supply. In particular, pension reforms, such as lowering replacement rates for pensioners, help to boost participation rates of older workers. On the other hand, a flat tax would promote longer working hours across the board, thereby rising labour supply. However, the introduction of a flat tax is a costly measure and would increase the primary general government deficit by close to 2% of GDP. Simultaneous measures to lower the structural unemployment rate would not only help to avoid adverse effects of such a tax reform on the fiscal balance but would strengthen further the positive effects of a flat tax on working hours." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Hartlapp, Miriam & Achim Kemmerling (2008): When a solution becomes the problem. The causes of policy reversal on early exit from the labour force. In: Journal of European social policy, Jg. 18, H. 4, S. 366-379. DOI:10.1177/0958928708094894

Abstract

"Whereas governments had previously designed early exit policies to unburden labour markets, they have come increasingly to regard them as problematic. We investigate the reasons for this policy reversal, focusing on two key actors: governments and trade unions. Our mixed-methods approach entails two major steps: first, we embed approaches to policy reform in a common framework to show the empirical relevance of the two major actors in most OECD countries. We find that both government ideology and union representativeness matter. In a second step, we investigate reform processes in two countries in more detail. Belgium and the Netherlands have much in common as regards government and interest groups but differ in terms of the reversal of early exit policies. We see that both the configuration of electoral and welfare state institutions have shaped the specific strategic environment of the two actors in both countries." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Henkens, Kène & Johannes Jan Schippers (2008): Labour market policies regarding older workers in the Netherlands. In: P. Taylor (Hrsg.) (2008): Ageing labour forces : promises and prospects, S. 141-157.

Abstract

Die Förderung eines aktiven Alterns, im Sinne von längerer Erwerbsphase und späterem Ruhestand, ist ein vorrangiges Ziel der Beschäftigungspolitik in den Niederlanden. In der letzten Dekade wurden zahlreiche arbeitsmarktpolitische Reformen verabschiedet und die Erwerbsquoten älterer Arbeitnehmer sind, nicht zuletzt durch einen wirtschaftlichen Aufschwung, angestiegen. Die Autoren geben einen detaillierten Überblick über die einzelnen arbeitsmarktpolitischen Maßnahmen der niederländischen Regierung zur Förderung älterer Arbeitnehmer. Sie skizzieren zuvor die demografische Entwicklung in der niederländischen Erwerbsbevölkerung sowie die Zielvorgaben des Lissabon-Vertrages zur Arbeitsmarktpartizipation älterer Menschen. Sie stellen ferner die verschiedenen Ausstiegswege aus dem Arbeitsmarkt dar und diskutieren die Implikationen für die alternden Arbeitskräfte. Ein besonderer Schwerpunkt ihrer Ausführungen liegt auf dem individuellen Erwerbsverhalten älterer Arbeitnehmer, wozu sie Befunde aus repräsentativen Erhebungen von 2000 und 2005 vorstellen. (IAB)

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Kraatz, Susanne & Cornelia Sproß (2008): Beschäftigungspolitik für Ältere. Deutschland und die Nachbarn. In: Aus Politik und Zeitgeschichte H. 18/19, S. 15-23.

Abstract

"Der demographische Wandel hat in Europa eine Abkehr von der Politik der Frühverrentung bewirkt. Im Vergleich von Deutschland mit den Niederlanden, Österreich und Frankreich werden Unterschiede in Ausgangsbedingungen und Reformpfaden kontinentaler Wohlfahrtsstaaten aufgezeigt." (Autorenreferat, IAB-Doku)

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Schils, Trudie (2008): Early retirement in Germany, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. A longitudinal analysis of individual factors and institutional regimes. In: European Sociological Review, Jg. 24, H. 3, S. 315-329. DOI:10.1093/esr/jcn009

Abstract

"In this article we investigate whether early retirement patterns vary between countries with distinct early retirement systems. By choosing countries that differ not only with respect to the coverage and generosity of publicly provided pensions but also with respect to the extent to which the state interferes in the non-public pillars of pension provision, we analyse to what extent such issues have an effect on individual early retirement behaviour. Selectivity effects are expected to be stronger in countries with highly fragmented public systems or private early retirement schemes. By pursuing a shift to more private pension provisions, governments might unintentionally create more inequality in early retirement opportunities among the population. For the analysis we use longitudinal data, i.e. British Household Panel Study (BHPS) 1991-2004 (the United Kingdom), the German Socia-Economic Panel (GSOEP) 1990-2005 (Germany, and the Socia-Economics Panel (SEP) 1990-2001 (Netherlands) and a discrete-time competing-risks model. The results suggest that pursuing a shift from public to private early retirement schemes can lower the incidence of early retirement. Yet, at the same time, early retirement can get more selective in that only the higher paid are able to afford it." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Naegele, Gerhard & Mirko Sporket (2007): Ältere Arbeitnehmerinnen und Arbeitnehmer im Betrieb. Betriebliche Fallbeispiele zur Beschäftigungsförderung in ausgewählten Ländern der Europäischen Union. Abschlussbericht. Düsseldorf, 73 S.

Abstract

"Die Studie nimmt Beispiele der guten Praxis in Bezug auf die Beschäftigungsförderung älterer Arbeitnehmerinnen und Arbeitnehmer in den Blick. Im Mittelpunkt der Untersuchung stehen dabei betriebliche Fallbeispiele aus ausgewählten Ländern der Europäischen Union. Dabei stellen sich vor allem die folgenden Fragen:
- Welche konzeptionellen Schwerpunkte werden in anderen Ländern gesetzt?
- Wie gestalten sich dort die betrieblichen Umsetzungsprozesse?
- Welche Akteure sind jeweils bei der Umsetzung von betrieblichen Maßnahmen wie und mit welchen Verantwortlichkeiten eingebunden?
- Welche förderlichen oder auch hemmenden Rahmenbedingungen zur Umsetzung alternsgerechter Arbeitsbedingungen können identifiziert werden?
Die Analyse der Praxisbeispiele hat gezeigt, dass es eine Reihe von Faktoren gibt, die bei der Umsetzung einer alternsgerechten Personalpolitik von Bedeutung sind:
- Altersstrukturanalysen helfen dem Betrieb, die eigene Situation besser einschätzen und entsprechende Maßnahmen ableiten zu können.
- Es ist wichtig, alle relevanten Akteure, also das Management, die Führungs-kräfte, den Betriebsrat und die Beschäftigten selbst für das Thema Altern zu sensibilisieren.
- Die aktive Einbindung der Beschäftigten erhöht die Veränderungsbereitschaft.
- Bei der Gestaltung alternsgerechter Arbeitsbedingungen kann oftmals auf etablierte Instrumente zurückgegriffen werden.
- Veränderungen müssen nachhaltig gestaltet werden (z.B. über Betriebsvereinbarungen, Integration in Managementsysteme).
- Das finnische Nationalprogramm für ältere Arbeitnehmer hat gezeigt, dass alle relevanten Ebenen (Individuum, Organisation, institutionelle Rahmenbedingungen) berücksichtigt werden müssen, um auf nationaler Ebene eine stärkere Integration Älterer in das Erwerbsleben realisieren zu können." (Autorenreferat, IAB-Doku)

Zitatform

Oorschot, Wim van (2007): Narrowing pathways to early retirement in the Netherlands. In: Benefits : the journal of poverty and social justice, Jg. 15, H. 3, S. 247-255.

Abstract

"The early retirement of older workers, and their low labour participation, was not seen as a major problem by the Dutch government during the years of recession in the 1980s and early 1990s. However, with the upswing of the economy and the rapid ageing of the population, the government's perspective changed drastically and related policy measures were taken. After a general introduction that Sketches the shift in the government's perspective, we give an account of the various pathways to early exit that are used by older workers, and how these have been restricted by policy measures." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Abstract

"This report looks at the evolution of initiatives related to older employees undertaken by selected organisations (case studies) in the Netherlands over the last decade. It reviews the following points: main impacts of measures/initiatives at the company level; driving forces for implementing good practice at the company level; characteristics of particularly successful measures/policies; key lessons that can be drawn from implementing measures and initiatives; future issues concerning age-management raised at company level; development of national policy concerning an ageing workforce; relevant actions of social partners and other key actors: policies and practices; and, finally, the status of the issue of older workers in current policy and public debates: identification of future issues." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Eichhorst, Werner (2006): Integration in Beschäftigung. Bewertung aus deutscher Sicht. In: C. Sproß (Hrsg.) (2006): Beschäftigungsförderung älterer Arbeitnehmer in Europa (Beiträge zur Arbeitsmarkt- und Berufsforschung, 299), S. 227-234.

Abstract

"Die Beispiele aus Großbritannien und Dänemark in diesem Beitrag liefern wertvolle Hinweise für die Neuausrichtung der institutionellen Rahmenbedingungen für eine stärkere Arbeitsmarktintegration und einen höheren Beschäftigungsstand älterer Arbeitskräfte. Zahlreiche Studien zeigen, dass die Beschäftigung älterer Arbeitskräfte vor allem von zwei Stellgrößen abhängt: Auf der einen Seite stellt das Angebot von staatlichen Transferleistungen für ein vorzeitiges Ausscheiden aus dem Erwerbsleben einen starken Anreiz dar, den Arbeitsmarkt zu verlassen und nicht mehr der Arbeitsvermittlung zur Verfügung zu stehen. Diese Möglichkeit eröffnet auch den Betrieben die Option, ihre Belegschaften auf Kosten des Sozialstaates zu verjüngen und zu verschlanken. Auf der anderen Seite hängt die Beschäftigungsfähigkeit älterer Arbeitskräfte vor allem davon ab, ob ihr Humankapital den Anforderungen einer sich wandelnden Volkswirtschaft entspricht. Dies wiederum wird sehr stark von der Partizipation an betriebs- oder berufsspezifischer und allgemeiner Weiterbildung im Verlauf des Erwerbslebens beeinflusst. Gleichzeitig hängen beide Faktoren zusammen: Investitionen in Weiterbildung gehen mit dem Lebensalter stark zurück, wenn Möglichkeiten eines vorgezogenen Ruhestands eingeräumt werden. Die Beispiele Großbritanniens und Dänemarks zeigen die zentrale Bedeutung einer Beschränkung von Leistungen für das vorzeitige Ausscheiden aus dem Erwerbsleben, einer konsequenteren Aktivierung und Vermittlung auch älterer Arbeitskräfte sowie einer Strategie der Investition in die Entwicklung, Pflege und Anpassung von Humankapital durch Weiterbildung im gesamten Verlauf des Erwerbslebens." (Autorenreferat, IAB-Doku)