Independence and economic security in old age / edited by Frank T. Denton, Deborah Fretz and Byron G. Spencer.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Denton, Frank, Author.

Contributor:

Denton, Frank T.

Fretz, Deborah.

Spencer, Byron G.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Older people--Canada--Economic conditions.

Older people.

Old age.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (390 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Vancouver : UBC Press, c2000.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

As boomers move towards retirement the phenomenon of "population aging" has become a much-publicized issue. Independence and Economic Security in Old Age focuses on the economic and social implications of aging at the level of the individual and of society as a whole. The product of a three-year research program, the book contains chapters by recognized experts in the fields of economics and econometrics, sociology, social work, medicine, epidemiology, gerontology, and nursing. The book first looks at some basic demographic issues, including the definition of "old," the changing age distribution of the population, and the demographic outlook for the next several decades. It then moves into the area of family relations, health, and economic security. The concept of "independence" among the elderly is examined and the degree of preparedness for old age by different elderly or soon-to-be elderly cohorts is considered. The measurable social contributions of the elderly are also discussed in juxtaposition with the benefits they receive. The book continues with an examination of the saving behaviour of the elderly, the appropriateness of the Consumer Price Index as a measure of inflation, the incomes of older women, and how the tax-transfer system affects the incentives of Canadians to save for retirement. Comprehensive and innovative in its consideration of the issues and implications of aging, this book will be a valuable resource for specialists and non-specialists interested in issues of population aging, for students of gerontology, economics, sociology, health studies, social work, and women's studies, and for social planners and policy makers.

Contents:

Intro; Contents; Preface; 1 Introduction and Overview; Part 1: Population Aging and the Definition of "Old"; Part 2: Family, Health, and Economic Security in Later Life; Part 3: Age Patterns of Income, Saving, and Expenditure; Part 4: Retirement and Pension Issues; Contributors; Index; 2 How Old Is Old? Revising the Definition Based on Life Table Criteria; 3 The Future Population of Canada and Its Age Distribution; 4 Independence of Older Persons: Meaning and Determinants

5 Changes in Work and Family over the Life Course: Implications for Economic Security of Today's and Tomorrow's Older Women6 Income, Health, Disability, and the Functional Independence of the Elderly; 7 Health, Age, and Financial Preparations for Later Life; 8 Unpaid Time Contributions by Seniors in Canada; 9 Cohort, Year, and Age Effects in Canadian Wage Data; 10 Saving before and after Retirement: A Study of Canadian Couples, 1969-92; 11 How Well Does the Consumer Price Index Serve as an Index of Inflation for Older Age Groups?; 12 The Economic Consequences of Unexpected Early Retirement

13 The Independence and Economic Security of Older Women Living Alone14 The Poverty of Retired Widows; 15 The Effect of the Tax-Transfer System on Retirement Savings; A; B; C; D; E; F; G; H; I; J; L; M; O; P; R; S; T; U; V; W

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

1-283-11187-X

9786613111876

0-7748-5211-9

OCLC:

923443696