Longevity and social change
Allan Borowski
School of Social Work and Social Policy, La Trobe University
Contact Email:   A.Borowskilatrobe.edu.au

The adequacy and equity of national retirement incomes policies to meet the lifestyle expectations of ageing populations presents challenges for governments and citizens, especially in view of increasing longevity. Policy priorities include establishing clarity about the goals) of the collective and private arrangements, assuring their financial stability and security, ensuring that the interface or interaction between public and private arrangements is coherent and maintaining an equitable and
politically acceptable balance of costs and benefits across income classes, gender, age cohorts and between employers and employees.

The presentation will describe the evolution of Australia's retirement income arrangements and the shifting forces that have shaped them. The contemporary design features of these arrangements will be described and placed within the context of the various public and private choices available to nations when shaping their retirement incomes systems including their coverage, adequacy and financing. Particular emphasis will be placed on the key distributive issues of the economic security of older women.

The presentation will conclude with an assessment of the reforms in retirement income provision that remain necessary. The 'fracture' in the nexus between earned and retirement incomes will be underscored.

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