1、Understanding Income Security for Older AdultsRethink Social Protection and Jobs in an Actively Aging World2What are the main contributors to income security at older ages?Income security is a common concern for older adults globally as their capacity to earn work income diminishes.The most importan
2、t income sources for older people are:(i)continued work;(ii)family support;(iii)income from assets accumulated during their lifetimes;and(iv)benefits received from government programs,financed either from general revenues or social contributions.However,the relative contribution and overall adequacy
3、 of these different sources varies greatly across levels of development,over time,between formal and informal sector workers within countries,between genders,and by other factors.Why should policy makers care?In emerging economies where societal aging is rapid,there are serious concerns that current
4、 and future older populations are poorly prepared to achieve income security throughout old age.These concerns are reinforced by smaller family sizes,changing living arrangements,and shifting social norms which risk undermining informal sources of support.In addition,financial literacy and inclusion
5、 often remain inadequate,resulting in low lifetime savings and poor planning for peoples older years.In this context,the role of the state in promoting financial security for older people will need to grow.Despite this growing need,public pension and safety net systems for older people typically hav
6、e low coverage and/or insufficient adequacy to provide decent protection for the majority of older people.There has also been modest progress in recent decades in expanding contributory pension coverage in most developing countries.At the same time,formal sector pension schemes often contribute to f