Reform of Retirement Income Policy: International and Canadian Perspectives.

• Author: Gladstone, Robert Wayne

Reviewed by Robert Wayne Gladstone, vice president of Administration, Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System and a member of GFOA's Committee on Retirement and Benefits Administration. The authors of this book provide an update to the independent research available to aid in the debate on reforming the retirement income system. They discuss issues to be considered in reforming retirement income policy, offering a general framework applicable to most countries and a reflection on the Canadian case.

Ten position papers by experts (including academicians, government officials, labour, consultants, and economists) plus comments by the authors and other experts in the field, comprise the remainder of the book; four main topics are public and private roles in providing retirement income; the Canadian experience; the impact of the influences that politicians face in dealing with this issue; and the future direction of policy reform.

While comprehensive in nature, the papers are very readable for a person interested in learning more about pension policy reform. Many of the presentations are enhanced by the effective use of graphs and charts. There is good background information concerning the evolution of several models of pension provision which have been followed by a number of countries, and there is an outline and rationale for the role of government in pension provision as well as a comprehensive discussion of the funding imbalances in a number of country plans. Reference is made to some of the reforms already implemented by some countries.

Reform of Retirement Income Policy illustrates the impact of demographics as a powerful lobby force. Several governments in a number of countries have tried a variety of policy reforms to reduce or eliminate their funding imbalance, and demographic pressure groups consistently forced them to withdraw proposed legislative changes. There is an analysis on suggested changes in funding formula and benefit amendments that could be used to reduce the funding...