Research & Analysis About United States

International Update

A monthly publication covering recent developments in foreign private and public pensions, social security, and retirement.

December 2009  ·  August 2007

Social Security Programs Throughout the World

A biannual publication highlighting the principal features of social security programs in more than 170 countries. Published in collaboration with the International Social Security Association, one of four regional volumes was issued every six months.

The Americas:  2019  ·  2017  ·  2015  ·  2013  ·  2011  ·  2009  ·  2007  ·  2005  ·  2003

Public Pension Statements in Selected Countries: A Comparison
from Social Security Bulletin, Vol. 76, No. 1 (released February 2016)

Public pension statements are one way for countries to provide workers with information about their retirement benefits. This article compares public pension statements in Canada, Sweden, and the United States. The comparison includes brief descriptions of the public pension programs in each country, details on the origins and content of the public pension statements, and an assessment of the information provided in the three countries' respective public pension statements.

"Fast-Track" Strategies in Long-Term Public Disability Programs Around the World
from Social Security Bulletin, Vol. 72, No. 1 (released February 2012)

This article examines fast-track procedures in long-term public disability programs in the United States and several other countries. Such procedures share a common goal of accelerating applicants—generally for those with severe disabilities, blindness, or facing terminal illness—through the disability determination process.

Social Security Reform in Central and Eastern Europe: Variations on a Latin American Theme
from Social Security Bulletin, Vol. 64, No. 4 (released June 2003)

The Latin American model of social security reform with individual accounts has been adopted by a number of Central and Eastern European countries. That alternative to a pay-as-you-go system is sometimes advocated as a desirable model for solving problems in developed systems such as that of the United States. This article describes the Central and Eastern European systems and compares them with the Latin American systems.

Improving Return-to-Work Strategies in the United States Disability Programs, with Analysis of Program Practices in Germany and Sweden
from Social Security Bulletin, Vol. 62, No. 3 (released January 2000)

This article examines suggestions by the General Accounting Office (GAO) to improve the rate of rehabilitation of workers on the disability rolls. It examines GAO's suggestions within the context of research by experts on return-to-work practices in Germany, Sweden, and the United States. It also discusses lessons learned from the European experiences and current and past return-to-work initiatives used in the Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income programs.

Poverty Among Single Elderly Women Under Different Systems of Old-Age Security: A Comparative Review
from Social Security Bulletin, Vol. 59, No. 3 (released July 1996)

This study takes stock of available comparative research on the economic status of elderly single women in six industrialized countries: France, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United States. A systematic comparison of income has become easier due to such standardized data bases as the Luxembourg Income Study.

But an explanation for different poverty rates among older women who are on their own requires a further, differentiated assessment of the countries' retirement benefit structures. This article attempts such a review. It makes use of a variety of single-country sources and takes into account the institutional heterogeneity of old-age security systems. The study concludes with a view of the effectiveness of different old-age security systems in preventing poverty among older single women.

National Expenditures on Social Security and Health in Selected Countries
from Social Security Bulletin, Vol. 53, No. 1 (released January 1990)

Worldwide Trends and Developments in Social Security, 1985–87
from Social Security Bulletin, Vol. 52, No. 2 (released February 1989)

Administrative Costs for Social Security Programs in Selected Countries
from Social Security Bulletin, Vol. 51, No. 11 (released November 1988)

International Social Security Agreements: The U.S. Experience
from Social Security Bulletin, Vol. 51, No. 9 (released September 1988)

Worldwide Trends and Developments in Social Security, 1983–85
from Social Security Bulletin, Vol. 49, No. 9 (released September 1986)

Administrative Costs for Social Security Programs in Selected Countries
from Social Security Bulletin, Vol. 49, No. 8 (released August 1986)

Worldwide Developments in Social Security, 1981–83
from Social Security Bulletin, Vol. 47, No. 6 (released June 1984)

Purchasing Power of U.S. Social Security Benefits Abroad, 1970–82
from Social Security Bulletin, Vol. 46, No. 9 (released September 1983)

Social Security Trends and Developments in Industrialized Countries
from Social Security Bulletin, Vol. 46, No. 3 (released March 1983)

The Earnings Replacement Rate of Old-Age Benefits in 12 Countries, 1969–80
from Social Security Bulletin, Vol. 45, No. 11 (released November 1982)

Worldwide Trends in Social Security, 1979
from Social Security Bulletin, Vol. 43, No. 8 (released August 1980)

Health Care Expenditures in Nine Industrialized Countries, 1960–76
from Social Security Bulletin, Vol. 43, No. 1 (released January 1980)

Social Security: A Worldwide Issue
from Social Security Bulletin, Vol. 42, No. 8 (released August 1979)

Research Grants Studies
from Social Security Bulletin, Vol. 42, No. 7 (released July 1979)

Earnings-Replacement Rate of Old-Age Benefits, 1965–75, Selected Countries
from Social Security Bulletin, Vol. 41, No. 1 (released January 1978)

Alimony and Public Income Support: Fifteen Countries
from Social Security Bulletin, Vol. 40, No. 1 (released January 1977)

Maintaining Value of Social Security Benefits During Inflation: Foreign Experience
from Social Security Bulletin, Vol. 39, No. 11 (released November 1976)

Administrative Costs for Social Security Programs in Selected Countries
from Social Security Bulletin, Vol. 39, No. 6 (released June 1976)

Social Security Funding Practices in Selected Countries
from Social Security Bulletin, Vol. 39, No. 5 (released May 1976)

World Developments and Trends in Social Security
from Social Security Bulletin, Vol. 39, No. 4 (released April 1976)

Payroll Taxes Under Social Security Programs: Cross-National Survey
from Social Security Bulletin, Vol. 38, No. 12 (released December 1975)

Earnings Replacement Rate of Old-Age Pensions for Workers Retiring at End of 1972
from Social Security Bulletin, Vol. 37, No. 12 (released December 1974)

The Retirement Test: An International Study
from Social Security Bulletin, Vol. 37, No. 7 (released July 1974)

Medical Care Expenditures in Seven Countries
from Social Security Bulletin, Vol. 36, No. 3 (released March 1973)

Social Security Provisions for Young Adults in Industrialized Countries
from Social Security Bulletin, Vol. 34, No. 11 (released November 1971)

Retirement Benefits for Very Elderly
from Social Security Bulletin, Vol. 34, No. 4 (released April 1971)

Role of the Contribution Ceiling in Social Security Programs: Comparison of Five Countries
from Social Security Bulletin, Vol. 34, No. 2 (released February 1971)

International Health Expenditures
from Social Security Bulletin, Vol. 33, No. 12 (released December 1970)

Worldwide Developments in Social Security, 1967–69
from Social Security Bulletin, Vol. 33, No. 8 (released August 1970)

The Earnings Replacement Rate of Old-Age Benefits: An International Comparison
from Social Security Bulletin, Vol. 33, No. 3 (released March 1970)

Utilization and Cost of General Hospital Care: Canada and the United States, 1948–66
from Social Security Bulletin, Vol. 31, No. 11 (released November 1968)

Comparing the Financial Position of the Aged in Britain and the United States
from Social Security Bulletin, Vol. 31, No. 7 (released July 1968)

Income-Tax Treatment of Old-Age Pensions and Contributions Here and Abroad
from Social Security Bulletin, Vol. 29, No. 8 (released August 1966)

Relation of Social Security Expenditures to Gross National Product in 45 Countries
from Social Security Bulletin, Vol. 28, No. 6 (released June 1965)

Social Security Programs of Foreign Countries
from Social Security Bulletin, Vol. 27, No. 9 (released September 1964)

World Trends in Social Security Benefits, 1955 to 1957
from Social Security Bulletin, Vol. 20, No. 8 (released August 1957)

World Trends in Social Security Benefits, 1935–55
from Social Security Bulletin, Vol. 19, No. 5 (released May 1956)

Income-Maintenance Programs for the Aged, United States and Great Britain
from Social Security Bulletin, Vol. 15, No. 9 (released September 1952)

Social Welfare Expenditures, United States and Great Britain, 1949–50
from Social Security Bulletin, Vol. 15, No. 7 (released July 1952)

World Developments in Social Security
from Social Security Bulletin, Vol. 13, No. 3 (released March 1950)

The Second Inter-American Conference on Social Security
from Social Security Bulletin, Vol. 11, No. 3 (released March 1948)