Suchergebnisse

This book reviews recent trends, reforms and lessons learned in the 29 OECD countries as they relate to ageing. Recent reforms have been driven mainly by fiscal factors - to adjust systems such as pensions and long-term care to the ageing of the baby boom generation. This remains a main concern in many countries. A new reform agenda is emerging, however, that marries fiscal objectives with broader social and economic policy goals. It focuses on active ageing, providing opportunities and incentives for people to contribute more actively in the labour market and society as they grow older. This

Scandinavia has developed a wider definition of welfare policy, and a more active state involvement, than in probably any of the other western nations. Are the values underlying the Scandinavian model now under stress? Is Scandinavia changing, and now converting to other ideals? Are the Scandinavian states becoming less ambitious? Is Scandinavia becoming less committed to universality, and increasingly characterized by distribution according to contribution (social insurance) and more strict need assessments (residuality)? Are benefit levels becoming less generous, and are the Scandinavian populations themselves growing less committed to their welfare states? These questions are discussed in the context of current trends in welfare policies towards older people in the four major Nordic countries.