%A L. Willmore
%O United Nations DESA Discussion Paper No. 32.
%J SSRN Electronic Journal
%T Universal Pensions in Mauritius: Lessons for the Rest of Us
%X That the Government of Mauritius provides nearly every resident over the age of 60 with a non-contributory, basic pension is one of the best-kept secrets in the world. The scheme dates from 1950 and became universal in 1958, following abolition of a means test. Remarkably, introduction of a compulsory, contributory scheme for workers in the private sector appears to have strengthened the non-contributory regime without affecting its universality. This paper examines the past and future of non-contributory, universal pensions in Mauritius, and draws lessons that might be useful for other countries, especially those in the developing world.
%K public pensions, social security, means test, targeting, demographic ageing, Mauritius
%D 2003
%C USA
%R 10.2139/ssrn.398280
%I United Nations DESA
%L iiasa14286