Bridging the Coverage Gap: Issues and Questions for Social Security Administrations

Abstract

The majority of the world's population either is without or has inadequate access to social security. of those without adequate social security protection, older people in developing countries represent a significant and growing element. Nonetheless, evidence suggests that extending basic social security coverage to older people is fiscally and administratively feasible for all but the poorest of countries through universal non-contributory tax financed pensions. With this objective in mind, the paper draws attention to a number of practical issues and questions confronting developing country social security administrations.