This fourth issue in the current four-volume series of Social Security Programs Throughout the World reports on the countries of the Americas. The combined findings of this series, which also includes volumes on Europe, Asia and the Pacific, and Africa, are published at 6-month intervals over a 2-year period. Each volume highlights features of social security programs in the particular region.
In this volume on the Americas, the data reported are based on laws and regulations in force in July 2009 or on the last date for which information has been received.1 Information for each country on types of social security programs, types of mandatory systems for retirement income, contribution rates, and demographic and other statistics related to social security is shown in Tables 1–4 beginning on page 17.
Most of the information in this report was collated from the Social Security Programs Throughout the World survey conducted by the International Social Security Association (ISSA) under the sponsorship of the U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA). This information was supplemented by data collected from the ISSA's Developments and Trends Annual Survey. Empirical data were also provided by numerous social security officials throughout the world. (For a listing of countries and jurisdictions that responded to the survey, see Box 1.) Important sources of published information include the ISSA Documentation Service; the legislative database of the International Labour Office; and official publications, periodicals, and selected documents received from social security institutions. Information was also received from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, and the United Nations Development Programme. During the compilation process, international analysts at both SSA and the ISSA examined the material for factual errors, ambiguous statements, and contradictions in material from different sources.
Groups that might be considered difficult to administer—family workers, domestics, day workers, agricultural workers, and the self-employed—were often initially excluded from coverage. The trend has been to extend coverage to these groups under separate funds or to bring them gradually under the general system. In some countries, noncovered workers become eligible for the right to an eventual pension if they make voluntary contributions at a specified level. Some systems also provide voluntary coverage for women who leave the labor force temporarily to have children or to raise a family, or for self-employed persons not covered by a mandatory program. Some developed countries with younger programs have constructed a unified national program, thus largely bypassing the need for developing separate industrial or agricultural funds.
Disability Benefits. Under most programs, provisions for disability benefits for persons who are permanently disabled as the result of nonoccupational causes are very similar to those for the aged. The same basic formula usually applies for total disability as for old age—a cash amount usually expressed as a percentage of average earnings. Increments and dependents' supplements are generally identical under the total disability and old-age programs. For persons with total disabilities, a constant-attendance supplement, usually 50 percent of the benefit, may be paid to those who need help on a daily basis. Partial disability benefits, if payable, are usually reduced, according to a fixed scale. The system may also provide rehabilitation and training. Some countries provide higher benefits for workers in arduous or dangerous employment.
A nursing allowance—usually 20 percent or 25 percent of the regular maternity benefit and payable for up to 6 months or longer—may be provided in addition to the basic cash maternity benefit. A grant for the purchase of a layette—clothes and other essentials for the newborn baby—or the provision of a layette itself is furnished under some programs. Finally, a lump-sum maternity grant may be paid on the birth of each child. The wives of insured men may be eligible for this grant. Similar benefits may be provided under the family allowance program.
e. Coverage is provided under other programs.
A pension of uniform amount or one based on years of service or residence but independent of earnings. It is financed by payroll tax contributions from employees, employers, or both.
a. No country in the Americas has a provident fund. The column in this table is to facilitate comparisons with countries in other regions.
b. The benefit increases with the length of the contribution period.
c. The universal pension is increased by an income-tested supplement.
d. The earnings-related social insurance system is closed to new entrants and is being phased out.
e. The government provides a guaranteed minimum pension.
f. The means-tested pension has not been implemented.
g. The pension formula contains a flat-rate component and an earnings-related element.
SOURCES: United Nations Population Division, Department of Economic and Social Affairs. World Population Prospects: The 2008 Revision Population Database, available at http://esa.un.org/unpp (2008); Human Development Report 2009, prepared for the United Nations Development Programme (Gordonsville VA: Palgrave Macmillan, 2009); U.S. Central Intelligence Agency. The World Factbook, 2009 (Washington D.C.: Central Intelligence Agency, 2009).
b. Also includes the contribution rates for other programs.
c. Contributions are subject to a ceiling on some benefits.
d. Employers pay the total cost of work injury benefits.
e. A flat-rate weekly contribution to finance all benefits is paid according to eight earnings classes.
f. Plus flat-rate social insurance contributions.
g. Contributions finance old-age benefits only. Additional contributions are required for survivor and disability benefits.
i. Government pays the total cost of unemployment benefits.
j. Contributions may be higher in some provinces.
k. Government pays the total cost of family allowances.
l. Plus old-age contributions for medical benefits.
m. Contributions may be higher or lower in some states.