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Assessing Redistribution in the Uruguayan Social Security System

Author

Listed:
  • Alvaro Forteza

    (Universidad de la República)

  • Irene Mussio

    (Universidad de la República)

Abstract

We assess redistribution in the main Uruguayan pension and unemployment insurance programs on a lifetime basis. Using administrative records from Social Security, we simulate lifetime declared labor income and flows of contributions and benefits to affiliates to the programs. Expected present values of income and net flows are also computed. Equipped with these estimations, we construct standard measures of distribution and redistribution of lifetime labor income through the Social Security system. Our findings suggest that these programs reduce income inequality. In particular, Social Security reduces the Gini coefficient of expected lifetime formal labor income by almost 2 percentage points.

Suggested Citation

  • Alvaro Forteza & Irene Mussio, 2012. "Assessing Redistribution in the Uruguayan Social Security System," Journal of Income Distribution, Ad libros publications inc., vol. 21(1), pages 65-87, March.
  • Handle: RePEc:jid:journl:y:2012:v:21:i:1:p:65-87
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    Cited by:

    1. Alvaro Forteza, 2015. "Are social security programs progressive?," IZA World of Labor, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA), pages 172-172, July.
    2. Alvaro Forteza, 2017. "Measuring the Redistributive Effect of Pensions," Documentos de Trabajo (working papers) 1317, Department of Economics - dECON.
    3. Alvaro Forteza, 2011. "Assessing Redistribution within Social Insurance Systems.The cases of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Mexico and Uruguay," Documentos de Trabajo (working papers) 1311, Department of Economics - dECON.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    redistribution; social security; Uruguay;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • H55 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies - - - Social Security and Public Pensions
    • J14 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of the Elderly; Economics of the Handicapped; Non-Labor Market Discrimination
    • J26 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Retirement; Retirement Policies

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