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Differential welfare state impacts for frontier working age families

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  • Burlacu, Irina

    (UNU-MERIT/MGSoG)

  • O'Donoghue, Cathal

    (Rural Economy Research Centre, Teagasc)

Abstract

Benefits and taxes vary greatly across the European Union owing to incongruent welfare and taxation systems. This paper analyzes how welfare states achieve insurance and equity objectives for residents who work in other countries. The aim is to evaluate the impact of unemployment benefits and income taxation on these frontier workers’ welfare in Luxembourg and Belgium that exhibit similar welfare state objectives. The analysis is based on social security coordination Regulation 883/2004 provisions on unemployment, taxation regimes and bi-lateral tax treaties. We find mixed results. First, while countries follow analogous welfare regimes and pursue similar welfare objectives, their ensuing outputs differ significantly. Second, differences in unemployment conditions and benefits favor high discrepancies in residents’ incomes. Third, mobility creates high vertical and horizontal inequity among Belgian and Luxembourgish residents.

Suggested Citation

  • Burlacu, Irina & O'Donoghue, Cathal, 2012. "Differential welfare state impacts for frontier working age families," MERIT Working Papers 2012-061, United Nations University - Maastricht Economic and Social Research Institute on Innovation and Technology (MERIT).
    • Handle: RePEc:unm:unumer:2012061
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    frontier workers; social policy; policy coordination;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I38 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - Government Programs; Provision and Effects of Welfare Programs

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