Senior citizen social security is still in its infancy. Analyze critically?
The economic challenges faced by the elderly are significant and multifaceted, including issues related to inadequate pensions, limited access to financial services, and barriers to employment. Here’s a detailed examination of these challenges and an assessment of government efforts to ensure financRead more
The economic challenges faced by the elderly are significant and multifaceted, including issues related to inadequate pensions, limited access to financial services, and barriers to employment. Here’s a detailed examination of these challenges and an assessment of government efforts to ensure financial security and economic well-being for the elderly:
Economic Challenges Faced by the Elderly
- Inadequate Pensions:
- Low Pension Amounts: Many pension schemes provide only a modest income, which may not be sufficient to cover the basic living expenses of elderly individuals. This is particularly challenging for those who have spent their lives in the informal sector or have low-paying jobs.
- Limited Coverage: Not all elderly individuals have access to pension schemes, especially those who have not been part of formal employment systems or have migrated from rural to urban areas without adequate documentation.
- Limited Access to Financial Services:
- Banking Access: Elderly individuals, especially those living in rural areas, may face difficulties in accessing banking services due to a lack of financial literacy, physical accessibility issues, or insufficient banking infrastructure.
- Credit and Loans: Access to credit and loans can be limited for elderly persons due to concerns about their ability to repay or lack of collateral. This can restrict their ability to manage financial needs or invest in opportunities.
- Barriers to Employment:
- Discrimination: Elderly individuals may face age discrimination in the job market, making it difficult for them to find employment or continue working beyond retirement age.
- Physical Limitations: Age-related physical and health issues can limit the types of work that elderly individuals can perform, reducing their opportunities for continued employment.
Government Efforts to Address Economic Challenges
- Pension Schemes and Financial Assistance:
- Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS): This scheme provides financial assistance to elderly individuals who are below the poverty line, offering a monthly pension to help meet basic needs.
- National Pension System (NPS): The NPS is a voluntary pension scheme aimed at providing a steady income for retirees through a combination of savings and investments.
- Social Security Schemes: Various state-level and central government schemes provide financial support and assistance to elderly individuals, including the Senior Citizens Savings Scheme (SCSS) and Atal Pension Yojana (APY).
- Financial Inclusion Programs:
- Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY): This financial inclusion scheme aims to provide access to banking services for all, including elderly individuals, through the establishment of no-frills bank accounts.
- Digital Literacy Programs: Initiatives to improve digital literacy among the elderly help them access online banking and financial services more easily.
- Employment Support and Opportunities:
- Skill Development: Government programs aimed at skill development and vocational training may help elderly individuals gain new skills and improve their employability.
- Senior Citizen Employment Programs: Some states have initiatives to provide job opportunities and support for elderly individuals who wish to continue working.
Assessment of Government Efforts
- Strengths:
- Increased Coverage: Pension schemes like IGNOAPS and NPS have expanded coverage and provided financial support to many elderly individuals, improving their economic security.
- Financial Inclusion: Programs like PMJDY and digital literacy initiatives have enhanced access to financial services for elderly individuals, promoting greater financial inclusion.
- Support for Employment: Skill development programs and employment support initiatives have helped some elderly individuals remain active in the workforce or pursue new opportunities.
- Challenges and Gaps:
- Insufficient Pension Amounts: Pension amounts under various schemes may still be inadequate to cover the full range of expenses faced by elderly individuals, particularly in urban areas with higher living costs.
- Limited Reach: Not all elderly individuals benefit from financial inclusion programs due to a lack of awareness, accessibility issues, or bureaucratic hurdles.
- Discrimination and Barriers: Age discrimination in the job market and physical limitations can continue to restrict employment opportunities for elderly individuals, despite existing support programs.
Recommendations for Improvement
- Increase Pension Amounts: Review and adjust pension amounts to ensure they meet the basic needs of elderly individuals, particularly in areas with higher living costs. Explore options for universal basic income for the elderly.
- Expand Financial Inclusion: Enhance efforts to improve financial literacy and access to banking services among the elderly, particularly in rural areas. Simplify banking processes and provide support for digital literacy.
- Address Employment Barriers: Develop policies to combat age discrimination in the job market and create job opportunities tailored to the skills and abilities of elderly individuals. Support flexible work arrangements and part-time employment options.
- Improve Coverage: Ensure that pension and financial assistance schemes reach all eligible elderly individuals, including those in informal sectors and rural areas. Reduce bureaucratic barriers and improve the accessibility of application processes.
Conclusion
Elderly individuals in India face significant economic challenges, including inadequate pensions, limited access to financial services, and barriers to employment. While government initiatives have made progress in addressing these issues, there remain gaps in coverage, adequacy, and accessibility. By addressing these challenges and building on existing efforts, the government can enhance financial security and economic well-being for the elderly, helping them to lead dignified and fulfilling lives.
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As per the report “Caring for Our Elders” by UNFPA India’s old age population( above 60) would grow from 8.6% in 2011 to 19% ( around 300 million) by 2050. This means India has to ensure healthy ageing with policy measures during this current beneficial period of demographic dividend. Social securitRead more
As per the report “Caring for Our Elders” by UNFPA India’s old age population( above 60) would grow from 8.6% in 2011 to 19% ( around 300 million) by 2050. This means India has to ensure healthy ageing with policy measures during this current beneficial period of demographic dividend. Social security could be said as the legislative or executive measure to support the vulnerable sections of society and is enshrined in Indian Directive Principles of State policy. Article 41 explicitly mentions the need to provide public assistance to the old age. Various initiatives have been taken to provide social security to the Indian senior citizens especially during this period of more Nuclear family and rural-Urban migration.
Major Schemes For Senior Citizens
Many of these schemes have improved the social perception about the need for senior citizen welfare. Also, schemes like IPOP have created an integrated chain of old-age care homes and NGO groupings across India. Creation of SCWF has allowed the utilization of unclaimed deposits of Public Provident Fund for senior citizens welfare. But despite these many schemes the social security of senior citizens in India is well below what’s needed and very much in the nascent stage.
Social Security Of Senior Citizens In Nascent Stage
A recent survey by Agewell Research and Advocacy Centre for the United Nations showed that around 51% of respondents were not satisfied with the overall status of social security schemes for the elderly in India. Around 53% of the elderly find it difficult in utilizing the social security schemes and 79% found these are not sufficient to meet their basic needs, which shows the amateur approach of addressing the old age population.
There needs to be a re-modelling of existing schemes and laws. Old age welfare by social security should not be accorded a peripheral position in the governance sphere and a Centre-state continuous discussion forum is needed. Recent amendments to Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens (Amendment) Bill, 2019 is a welcome initiative.
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