Less is More? 20 years of changing minimum income protection for old Europe’s elderly

摘要: Over the past two decades, pension reforms have been at top of agenda social policy makers in Europe. In many countries, these resulted less generous public pensions. At same time, minimum income protection for elderly has received attention from makers, but much so researchers. Therefore, this paper, I explore how benefit levels non-contributory schemes evolved between 1990 and 2009 13 ‘old’ EU member states. Building on new cross-national crosstemporary comparable datasets Europe, it is shown that over 20 years erosion principal safety net last resort persons limited. Moreover, a substantial number European countries deliberate large increases benefits pursued, leading to remarkable convergence relative levels. JEL: H55, I38, J26