Publication: Pension Patterns in Sub-Saharan Africa
Date
2015-07
ISSN
Published
2015-07
Author(s)
Dorfman, Mark
Abstract
This report provides an initial
stocktaking of the characteristics, environment and
performance of public and private pensions and elderly
assistance programs in Sub-Saharan Africa. It identifies key
challenges and suggests reform options for consideration.
Considerations for future work and principles for pension
policies are also suggested. Two major challenges noted in
the report are the need to increase coverage of the labor
force by pensions and social insurance schemes, and to
increase the proportion of poor elderly covered by social
assistance. The report suggests that improving coverage will
require a number of parametric reforms to existing
contributory schemes, strengthening institutions to serve
informal sector workers, and piloting new design options.
The report also proposes other parametric reforms, including
the harmonization or merger of civil service and national
pension schemes. Finally, the report recommends principles
to consider for reform, including measures to improve
coverage, protect the elderly poor, and better align pension
design with needs and enabling conditions, including the
needs of rural and informal sector workers.
Citation
“Dorfman, Mark. 2015. Pension Patterns in Sub-Saharan Africa. Social protection and labor discussion paper,no. 1503;. © World Bank Group, Washington, DC. http://openknowledge.worldbank.org/handle/10986/22339 License: CC BY 3.0 IGO.”