1. Policies extending social security coverage
Recurrent discussion on the strategic objective of social protection (social security): Social security for social justice and a fair globalization
100th Session of the International Labour Conference, June 2011

2. The global state of social security coverage and recent policy initiatives (coverage gap estimates and policy examples)
80 % of the world population do not have access to comprehensive coverage
30% of the population do not have access to essential health care
In many developing countries less than 20% of the elderly receive a pension
50% of children are living in poverty, many lack access to health and education
Comprehensive national social security strategies, based on social dialogue
Strengthening social health protection
Social security coverage gap
Social pension programmes
Child and family benefits

3. individual/household income
The ILO‘s two-dimensional strategy for the extension of social security coverage
individual/household income
Social Protection Floor* Access to essential health care and minimum income security for all
Contributory social security benefits of guaranteed levels
Voluntary insurance under government regulation
Level of protection
high
low
Vertical dimension: progressively ensuring higher levels of protection guided by C.102 and higher-level standards
Horizontal dimension: Guaranteeing access to essential health care and minimum income security for all
* in addition to access to services which is also part of the UN Social Protection Floor Initiative

4. The Social Protection Floor: Four nationally-defined guarantees
TRANSFERS in cash or in kind
have access to a nationally defined set of essential health care services
all residents
should enjoy minimum income security through transfers in cash or kind aiming at facilitating access to essential goods and services, such as nutrition, education and care
all children
should enjoy minimum income security through social assistance transfers aiming to achieve access to essential goods and services
active age groups unable to earn sufficient income in the labour market
should enjoy minimum income security through pensions/transfers in kind that guarantee access to essential goods and services
all residents in old age and with disabilities 
Outcome-oriented approach taking account of national conditions, priorities and institutions
Transfers in cash and in kind should guarantee geographical and financial access to essential services such as water and sanitation, health, and education

5. Principles for the extension of social security coverage
Universal coverage of all residents
if necessary gradual implementation based on rational priority-setting in a social dialogue process
Universal coverage
Fiscal, financial and economic sustainability
Scope of basic guarantees commensurate with available fiscal space
Sustainability
Benefit provision as a legal entitlement
Rights-based approach
Adequacy of guarantee levels with clear focus on outcomes
Flexibility as to institutional arrangements (pluralism)
Coherence and efficiency of overall social security system
Adequacy and focus on outcomes
Encouraging progress towards C102 and higher-level ILO standards
Progressiveness

6. Guidance for future ILO work on social security
Continued services and support to constituents
Knowledge generation and dissemination
Capacity-building
Technical advisory services
Development of a complementary instrument/mechanism
Supporting the extension of social security coverage and the SPF
Key tool for the horizontal extension of coverage
Production of a Social Security Best Protection Guide
Aiming at ensuring adequacy, financial sustainability and good governance
Reflecting Convention 102 and higher level standards
Key tool for the vertical dimension of the extension of coverage

7. Suggested points for discussion
Which policies contribute best to the extension of adequate social security coverage at all levels of development?
How can governments, workers and employers collaborate to put these policies into effect?
How can the ILO’s two-dimensional strategy for the extension of social security best support their efforts?
How could the gender dimension be strengthened in policies to extend the social security coverage?