Old-age income security and private transfers in South Korea

J Aging Soc Policy. 2009 Oct-Dec;21(4):393-407. doi: 10.1080/08959420903166803.

Abstract

We examined the relative contributions of government income support programs and familial transfers to old-age income security in Korea. This issue is critical, as policy reforms are in progress, and the potential crowding-out effect of government programs on familial transfer is at the center of heated debate. Using the 2006 Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging, we found that one-third of the elderly were poor and the contribution of public transfer to income security for the elderly was limited, whereas family, especially children, played a large role both by co-residing and through private transfers. Crowding out is less of a problem for the poor but a sensitive issue for middle-income families.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adult Children
  • Aged
  • Female
  • Financial Support*
  • Humans
  • Income
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Parent-Child Relations*
  • Poverty*
  • Public Policy*
  • Republic of Korea
  • Residence Characteristics
  • Social Security / organization & administration*