This paper is a practical guide (a toolkit) for researchers, students and practitioners wishing to introduce randomization as part of a research design in the field. It first covers the rationale for the use of randomization, as a solution to selection bias and a partial solution to publication...

This paper presents evidence suggesting that international migrant remittances generally lead to improved developmental outcomes. Using a cross-section of Mexican municipalities in 2000, I show that increases in the fraction of households receiving international remittances are generally...

Social insurance is the backbone of the Korean welfare system, but there are growing concerns over its lack of inclusiveness and sustainability, two objectives generally perceived as separate from or incompatible with each other. This study examines the structure in which inclusiveness and...

Social security programs generally seek to provide insurance and to reduce poverty and inequality. Providing insurance requires little redistribution. But reducing inequality and alleviating poverty do require redistribution. To reduce inequality, programs must redistribute income, but...

This chapter reviews the theoretical and empirical issues dealing with Social Security pensions. The first part of the chapter discusses pure pay-as-you-go plans. It considers the effects of introducing such a plan on the present value of consumption, the optimal level of benefits in such plans,...

Die Rentenreformen zu Beginn dieses Jahrhunderts hinterlassen zunehmend Spuren. Das Rentenniveau sinkt kräftig. Gegenüber 1989 ergibt sich bereits heute eine Senkung um knapp 14 Prozent. Vorgesehen sind weitere Absenkungen mit der Folge einer drohenden Altersarmut insbesondere für...

Under the Universal Credit reform, the main means-tested benefits except the Council Tax Benefit will be pooled into one single benefit with one single taper rate. The reform will give people better incentives to work, reduce complexity and contribute to reducing poverty. The reform could reduce...

Social institutions face many challenges. The recent economic crisis has provided a stress test as it has left a legacy of high unemployment and high government debt in many countries. It also lowered potential output and thus the revenue base for social protection schemes. At the same time,...

The recent economic crisis has provided a stress test for the vulnerability of social institutions. This paper assesses the vulnerability of social institutions in light of the current crisis, and surveys past episodes, when social institutions faced similar challenges. Public pay-as-you-go...