This Element provides an analysis of social protection from an economic perspective. It describes the design of social protection programs, assesses the efficiency and performance of social protection programs, analyzes the relative merits of social and private insurance, and focuses on the implications of asymmetric information.
Our societies are witnessing a steady increase in longevity. This demographic evolution is accompanied by some convergence across countries, but substantial longevity inequalities persist within nations across income classes. This Element aims to survey some crucial implications of changing longevity on the design of optimal public policy.
Although there is a consensus in Europe that it is the government's responsibility to ensure the welfare of its citizens, there are calls to roll back spending on the welfare state. This book examines the prospects of the welfare state and analyses the performance of these systems and the reforms that should be undertaken.
Focusing on the interplay between retirement decisions and pension systems, this book offers both theoretical insights and empirical analysis. It examines the factors influencing the trend of early retirement and provides policy recommendations aimed at encouraging later retirement. By exploring the implications of various pension structures, the work seeks to inform policymakers on strategies to promote a more sustainable retirement age.