LONGER WORKING LIVES IN EUROPE: THE WIDENING GAP BETWEEN FINANCIAL INCENTIVES AND ENABLING STRATEGIES

摘要

Based on MoPAct research, this paper provides an overview and discussion of European macro and meso level measures aimed at higher older worker labor supply and later labor market exit. On the macro level, political reforms in the fields of pensions, unemployment and disability were implemented similarly in Western Europe and Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) with merely marginal differences despite significant lower employability (especially health-wise) in CEE. In contrast, on the meso level pro-employability measures on the level of employers and social partners are far more innovative and widespread in Western Europe. Against this background, the gap between financial incentives for older people to extend working lives and insufficient pro-employability measures will exist in Western Europe only to some extend, yet be far more widespread in CEE. In combination with the adverse initial situation this will exacerbate the existing problem of work despite low employability/bad health especially in CEE.