The 2014 pension reform has three main components. First disability pensions have been increased by about two earnings points, an average monthly gain of 40 euros. In addition low wages in the four years preceding disability-related retirement will now be disregarded. However, since these new...

This paper begins with a short review and discussion of the literature on policy complementarities and their implications in terms of (sustainable) growth strategies and the possible emergence of a new policy making paradigm. Then, it provides a descriptive analysis of the effect on economic...

Seit fünf Jahren werden Griechenland, Irland, Portugal, Spanien und Zypern durch Hilfsprogramme des Euro-Rettungsschirms unterstützt. Nun ist es an der Zeit, um Bilanz zu ziehen und aufzuzeigen, ob der Rettungsschirm (vor allem in seiner permanenten Form) sinnvoll konzipiert ist und ob die...

We study an innovative welfare program in Chile which combines a period of frequent home visits to households in extreme poverty, with guaranteed access to social services. Program impacts are identified using a regression discontinuity design, exploring the fact that program eligibility is a...

An increasing number of countries have adopted inflation targeting since New Zealand first adopted this framework in early 1990. Currently there are 21 countries using inflation targeting in every continent of the world. This paper discusses the characteristics of these countries and how the...

Turmoil in financial markets causes reflection. Is monetary policy conducted in the most efficient way? Are regulatory and supervisory arrangements adequate when market volatility increases and financial institutions come under stress? In the present SUERF Study, we have collected the...