Achieving effective social protection for all in Latin America and the Caribbean: from right to reality

Foreword

Acknowledgments

Abbreviations

Overview

Introduction

References

Chapter 1. The State of Social Protection in Latin America and the Caribbean: Recent Progress and Pending Challenges

Recent Developments and Challenges in SP Systems

Challenge I. Contributory Social Insurance Coverage Remains Low and Limited to the Formal Sector

Challenge II. LAC's Social Insurance Systems are Fragmented and Uncoordinated

Challenge III. Redistribution within the Social Insurance Systems is Opaque, Often Regressive, and Can Distort Incentives to Work and Save

Challenge IV. Enhancing the Effectiveness and Human Capital Impact of Income Support Programs

Challenge V. Increasing Access to Quality Jobs

Notes

References

Chapter 2. A Policy Framework for Social Protection in Latin America and the Caribbean

Conceptual Framework: Understanding the SP System

Policy Implications of the Conceptual Framework

Opening Social Insurance Access to All

Reviewing the Mandates (Benefits Packages) of Social Insurance Programs

Making Social Insurance Subsidy Systems Transparent and Progressive

Making Social Protection Programs More Coherent

Deepening Safety Nets and Facilitating Access to Better Jobs

Notes

References

Chapter 3. Implications for Social Protection Programs

Pensions

Health

Unemployment Benefits

Active Labor Market Programs

Safety Net Programs

Strengthening Crisis Response Capacity

Notes

References

Chapter 4. The Trajectory of Reform

Reformers

Partial Reformers

Traditional Systems

The Way Forward

Note

Reference

Glossary

Index

Boxes

1.1. The Effect of Setting Workfare Wages Too High: The Case of PLANE, Bolivia

2.1. The Limitations of Funding SI Entirely from General Taxation in LAC

Figures

1.1. Contributory Pension Coverage in Latin America and the Caribbean, 1990s to 2000s

1.2. Contributory Pension Coverage Rates in Latin America and the Caribbean in the 2000s, by Quintile of per Capita Income

1.3. Contributory Health Insurance Coverage in LAC, Mid-2000s

1.4. Contributory Health Insurance Coverage in LAC, Mid-2000s, by Decile of per Capita Income

1.5. Unemployment Insurance Savings Accounts per Employed Worker

1.6. The Share of the Formal and Informal Sectors in LAC Labor Markets

1.7. Contributory and Noncontributory Pension Coverage among the Elderly by Income Quintiles and Source in the 2000s

1.8. Contributory, Noncontributory, and Combined Health Insurance Coverage in the Mid-2000s by Income Quintiles and Source

1.9. Mandates of Pension Systems (average worker)

1.10. Mandates of Unemployment Benefit Systems (average worker)

1.11. Implicit Taxes and Subsidies in the Brazilian Pension System