OLD AGE AND POVERTY Cover Image

СТАРОСТ И СИРОМАШТВО
OLD AGE AND POVERTY

Author(s): Drenka Vuković
Subject(s): Welfare systems, Demography and human biology, Socio-Economic Research
Published by: Матица српска
Keywords: aging of the population; poverty and social exclusion; pension system; social assistance; social pension;

Summary/Abstract: The process of demographic changes in Serbia is followed by discussions on the need to provide safety at old age and solve the problems of poverty and social exclusion of older citizens. In the current state there are no mechanisms that guarantee an adequate life standard at old age, the consequence of which is a high poverty rate, deteriorating health and limited access to social programs. The results of the Survey on life standard from 2002 and 2007 show that poverty among population in general and pensioners has decreased, while the poverty risk among people older than 65 has increased twice. The restrictive methods of the reforms cause a change in the relation between the pensions and the earnings, so that more and more pensioners receive below average, i.e. minimal pensions. Not all old people are covered by pension insurance so that a significant number (around 400.000) does not have a safe monthly income at all. The state program of financial aid is of modest size and does not provide help to all of the poor. Welfare aid decreases the risk of poverty, but it do not guarantee an adequate level of material security at old age. The low level of minimal and average pensions, the decline of participation in the average earnings and the strict criteria of the social security system have brought to awareness the necessity of „social pensions" and various help and support programs for the elderly.

  • Issue Year: 2010
  • Issue No: 131
  • Page Range: 165-175
  • Page Count: 11
  • Language: Serbian