Reform of Retirement Income Policy: International and Canadian Perspectives

The retirement income system has been hailed as one of the great successes of Canadian social policy. However, contemporary pressures have generated a vigorous debate about the way ahead. Fundamental reforms are being proposed and Canadians face important choices.

Canada is hardly unique in this respect. Countries around the world are engaged in similar debates, and their experience holds important lessons. Through the perspectives of international and Canadian researchers, Reform of Retirement Income Policy focuses on many key reform issues: future income prospects for the elderly, roles of the public and private sectors, fairness and intergenerational equity, affordability and economic impacts, public expectations, and political constraints.

Contributors include Bob Baldwin (Canadian Labour Congress), Keith G. Banting (Queen's), Ken Battle (Caledon Institute of Social Policy), Gordon Betcherman (Ekos Research), Robin Boadway (Queen's), Thomas J. Courchene (Queen's), James Cutt (Victoria), James Davies (Western), Andrew Dilnot (Institute of Fiscal Studies, England), Estelle James (World Bank), Newman Lam (Victoria), Harvey Lazar (Queen's), Jack M. Mintz (U of T), Brian Murphy (Statistics Canada), John Myles (Florida State), Paul Pierson (Harvard), Michael Prince (Victoria), Jill Quadagno (Florida State), William B.P. Robson (C.D. Howe Institute), Monica Townson (economic consultant), Thomas A. Wilson (U of T), Michael Wolfson (Statistics Canada).