Comments on: exporting the NHS model http://larrywillmore.net/blog/2012/09/12/exporting-the-nhs-model/ Semi-daily posts, related largely to economics and government policy Tue, 21 May 2013 14:58:38 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4 By: Larry Willmore http://larrywillmore.net/blog/2012/09/12/exporting-the-nhs-model/comment-page-1/#comment-66378 Larry Willmore Fri, 14 Sep 2012 11:40:39 +0000 http://larrywillmore.net/blog/?p=4986#comment-66378 Debora, On pensions, we are in full agreement if by "straightforward, universal & progressive provision" you mean that eligibility for a basic state pension depends only on age and residence, not on a person's financial assets, employment history or current income. This is the New Zealand model, which a group of like-minded scholars are promoting at <a href="http://www.pensionreforms.com/" rel="nofollow">PensionReforms.com</a>, based at the University of Auckland's Business School. A universal pension is flat-rate, not 'progressive', but its provision is progressive if it is funded from general government revenue, and the wealthy pay more tax than the poor. Debora, On pensions, we are in full agreement if by “straightforward, universal & progressive provision” you mean that eligibility for a basic state pension depends only on age and residence, not on a person’s financial assets, employment history or current income. This is the New Zealand model, which a group of like-minded scholars are promoting at PensionReforms.com, based at the University of Auckland’s Business School.

A universal pension is flat-rate, not ‘progressive’, but its provision is progressive if it is funded from general government revenue, and the wealthy pay more tax than the poor.

]]> By: Debora Price http://larrywillmore.net/blog/2012/09/12/exporting-the-nhs-model/comment-page-1/#comment-66340 Debora Price Thu, 13 Sep 2012 12:54:21 +0000 http://larrywillmore.net/blog/?p=4986#comment-66340 Thanks Larry! Couldn't agree more on the pensions side. Our Pensions Commission called the UK system "the most complex pensions system in the world" and those of us active in the field agree. In this context, complexity is the enemy of social welfare - whatever your political leaning in pensions and social securityI have long thought you ought to favour meaningful, straightforward, universal & progressive provision. Thanks Larry! Couldn’t agree more on the pensions side. Our Pensions Commission called the UK system “the most complex pensions system in the world” and those of us active in the field agree. In this context, complexity is the enemy of social welfare – whatever your political leaning in pensions and social securityI have long thought you ought to favour meaningful, straightforward, universal & progressive provision.

]]>