1. MISSOC Info 1 The Evolution of Social Protection in 2011
MISSOC NETWORK MEETING Copenhagen, May 2012
MISSOC Info 1 The Evolution of Social Protection in 2011
John Ditch, academic expert

2. Aims and Objectives
Report developments in Social Protection in 2011
Narrative structure
Details in wider context

3. Methods MISSOC Tables and bi-annual returns
Routine adjustments ignored – eg benefit levels
Minor adjustments to text ignored – eg translations
Changes in policy or administration noted and grouped
EU Documentation and reports
Europe 2020 Strategy
Social OMC
European Semester
National Reform Programmes
Social Protection Committee
Other contextual information
Council of Europe
ILO and ISSA
OECD

4. Context Financial Crisis:
Social Protection as part of the problem or part of the solution?
Structural Imperatives:
demography: ageing, birth rates, mobility
medical technology & pharmaceuticals
Social OMC:
Social inclusion, pensions, health and long term care

5. Context Europe 2020 Agenda Integrated Guidelines
National Reform Programmes
Social Protection Committee
European Semester
Employment and Social Developments in 2011

6. Pensions
Dominant area of activity:
Increasing the retirement age
Equalising retirement age between men and women
Restrictions on early retirement
Increased contribution rates
Linking pensions to cohort life expectancy
Specific examples from variety of countries

7. Employment and Unemployment
Policy initiatives:
Key role of European Social Fund
‘In-work’ benefits
Retirement age changes
Reduce levels of undeclared work
Sanctions
Country specific examples

8. Other risks
Disability, Invalidity and Sickness
Family Benefits
Health Care
Guaranteed Minimum
 Country specific initiatives

9. Conclusion
Dominance of financial crisis as context
Role of social protection as stabiliser
Importance of pension reform and active labour market
Promise of policy reform out-weighs reality in practice