Policy-making in ageing labour markets

Beschreibung

"This paper discussed a special pathway between employment and retirement in Germany which is available for unemployed persons of age 58 and more. For the first time ever, our paper describes socio-economic characteristics of persons who benefit from the regulation for a FRB and reports their motivation why they took it up. Based on a logit analysis, we analyse factors which influence whether people opt for or against the opportunity of FRB. We discuss the question, whether people under the arrangement of § 428 SGB III regard themselves already as 'retired' or still as 'job seeking' without pressure - and assistance - from Public Employment Services (PES). The empirical research is based on data from 2006. From the perspective of institutional theory, the results show for the German case (i) inherent contradictions in labour market policies aiming at coping with an ageing labour force and mass unemployment especially among the older workers, and (ii) the maze of institutionalised inter-ests which result in prolonging early exits despite 'espoused theories' - and substantial political reforms - of main political actors aiming at the opposite. The paper is structured as follows: First, the institutional background for transitions after work life and their reforms will be introduced. The regulation for the 'facilitated receipt of benefits' (FRB) will be explained as well. Next, we present recent developments of unemployment among older persons and the effect of the FRB on the volume and structure of registered unem-ployment. We turn then from the aggregate level to the micro level to analyse socio-economic characteristics of the persons making use of this regulation and determinants which influence individual choices to opt for the opportunity of a FRB. We present the data set, provide some descriptions, discuss theoretical considerations about the effects of characteristics which will be integrated in a logit analysis. We then discuss the results of our logit analysis. Our paper con-cludes with a summary." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitationshinweis

Brussig, Martin & Christina Wübbeke (2007): Policy-making in ageing labour markets. The case of hidden early retirement in Germany. Paper for the 2nd European Workshop on Labor Markets and Demographic Change, Rostock, May 10-11, 2007. Rostock, 28 S.