Welfare Reform on the Web (September 1999): Social Security - Overseas

DENMARK: NEW LABOUR MARKET REFORMS

Anon
European Industrial Relations Review, no.305, 1999, p. 22-25

Active labour market policies have been a key element in the Danish government's strategy to reduce unemployment. Article tracks the latest developments in schemes designed to "activate" unemployed people and attempts to reduce the number of workers seeking early retirement.

HIDDEN BARRIERS TO SUCCESS FOR WOMEN IN WELFARE REFORM

J. F. East
Families in Society, vol.80, 1999, p

Considers barriers which prevent US women on welfare from gaining employment. Four categories of hidden issues facing women in the welfare reform environment have been identified. They include:

• past and present domestic violence;
• past physical, emotional and sexual abuse, and current relationships with family members;
• mental health barriers such as depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder, alcohol and drug use;
• issues of self-esteem.

SOCIAL SECURITY REFORM

R. C. Leone and G. Anrig (editors)
New York: Century Foundation Press, 1999

The US Social Security Program was created to reduce poverty among the elderly. Book begins by explaining in detail how the program works and by giving an overview of ideas for reforming the system. Next focuses on the future impact of the retirement of the "baby-boom" generation and describes the wide economic disparities among American families and Social Security's critical role in alleviating poverty. Scrutinizes plans for transforming Social Security into a collection of individual investment accounts and summarises the main features of prominent Social Security reform plans.