In addition to long-term demographic trends, European social security systems face new challenges as a result of increased global competition and an international banking system focused on short-term financial gain. This report therefore explores new ways for European policy makers and institutions to make social security systems more sustainable. It investigates ways to achieve short and long-term financial viability. It also identifies key mechanisms that work to achieve social cohesion, such as greater emphasis on social rights and social dialogue. It then examines the main policy issues in sustaining major individual social security programmes, such as health care, social assistance and family benefits, pensions, unemployment and work incapacity benefits, as well as long-term care.
Summary and main conclusions
1. Sustaining social security in the face of global trends
1.1. The response of social security systems
1.2. The concepts of social security and sustainability
1.3. The benefits of social security for society and the economy
1.4. Extending coverage and improving compliance
2. Social cohesion and sustainability: the role of rights and social dialogue
2.1. The right to social security - for workers, citizens and residents
2.2. The role of social dialogue
2.3. Challenges for social dialogue - in times of crisis and beyond
3. Sustaining social security benefit programmes
3.1. Basic social security protection
3.2. The evolving role of family benefits
3.3. Income replacement benefits
3.4. Long-term care: a new challenge
4. Conclusions and recommendations
References
