Other publication
A role for universal pension? Simulating universal pensions in Ecuador, Ghana, Tanzania, and South Africa
Authors: Maria Jouste, Pia Rattenhuber
Publisher: UNU-WIDER
Publishing place: Helsinki
Publication year: 2018
Series title: WIDER Working Paper
Number in series: 2018/23
ISBN: 978-92-9256-465-0
ISSN: 1798-7237
Web address : https://www.wider.unu.edu/publication/role-universal-pension-simulating-universal-pensions-ecuador-ghana-tanzania-and-south
Self-archived copy’s web address: https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/37571675
We use four novel, cross-country comparable tax-benefit microsimulation models for
Ecuador, Ghana, Tanzania, and South Africa to evaluate ex ante the expansion of a universal old-age pension in a static setting. Universal pensions would significantly reduce poverty and inequality
in settings in which no means-tested old-age pensions exist (such as Ghana and Tanzania). If
means-tested old-age pensions exist and shall be maintained, universal pensions as a top-up
scheme only make a difference for the income distribution if the existing schemes do not reach
the entire vulnerable population, such as in Ecuador. Costs for the proposed schemes are
substantial.
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