Subsidiarity in old-age security in the enlarged European Union. WP C.S.D.L.E. "Massimo D'Antona" N. 55/2005

Zukowski, Maciej. (2005) Subsidiarity in old-age security in the enlarged European Union. WP C.S.D.L.E. "Massimo D'Antona" N. 55/2005.

Abstract

[From the Introduction]. This paper discusses old-age security, consisting in Europe mainly of general social pension systems, in the light of subsidiarity. Main focus is on the consequences of the last Enlargement by ten, primarily Central and Eastern European countries. They have brought into EU partly different experiences of old- age security which may have some importance for EU as a whole. Both horizontal and vertical subsidiarity are discussed. Although subsidiarity is clearly a normative concept, the approach here tries to be as positive as possible. The aim of the paper is to analyze the situation so far, possible arguments and perspectives. The paper starts with a discussion of terminology. The next two sections deal with both dimensions of subsidiarity in the area of old-age security in the EU: horizontal and vertical subsidiarity. Both sections have similar structure: start with some conceptual introduction, than discuss situation in the EU before Enlargement and finally consequences of accession of the new member states. The fourth section is about the future of old-age security in the EU in the light of subsidiarity. Most issues of this broad topic can only be touched here.