Revisiting ISSA's Dynamic Social Security: 2007–2014, and beyond

Abstract

The International Social Security Association's (ISSA) Dynamic Social Security conceptual framework has been developed as a tool to identify and analyse current and emerging challenges in social security policy and administrative practice and to guide decision-makers in developing effective and sustainable responses to these. The longer-term core objective of the framework is to help extend social security coverage to all through the development of effective social security systems that contributed to socially inclusive and economically productive societies. As revealed by an examination of the ISSA's work priorities, perceptions of the framework have evolved over time. In some instances greater emphasis has been given by the Association to policy analysis, especially in support of the objective of coverage extension. More recently the emphasis has been placed on the practical necessity to support the development of higher performing social security administrations; a core mission objective of the ISSA. In looking to identify future challenges (megatrends) that hold the potential to impact negatively upon social security programmes and administrations, and to develop appropriate responses to these, the ISSA should keep sight of the fact that Dynamic Social Security has an essential analytical role as well as a practical one.

Lessons from China on different approaches to pension coverage extension

“…According to the institutional exclusion perspective, the contributory scheme often excludes informal workers. The association between employment status – formal versus informal – and pension participation has been widely observed (van Ginneken, 2010; Holzmann, 2013; McKinnon et al, 2014). The market/employer exclusion perspective notes that many private enterprises extend social insurance only to “key” workers with much needed skills (Nyland, Thomson and Zhu, 2011), while rank‐and‐file workers are hired through labour dispatch agencies to avoid signing labour contracts and paying social insurance contributions (Nielsen et al, 2005).…”

“…Much progress has yet to be made, given that currently less than a third of the world’s population has access to comprehensive social security (ILO, 2017). The key challenge is to find effective ways to extend social security coverage to previously excluded individuals and groups (Hagemejer and McKinnon, 2013; Holzmann, 2013; McKinnon et al, 2014).…”

“…Insofar as pension coverage is concerned, policy reforms since the 1990s have achieved limited success (van Ginneken, 2010; McKinnon et al, 2014). The World Bank and other international organizations have promoted the funded defined contribution (FDC) pension model in developing countries (World Bank, 1994).…”