Towards a fair assessment of social security liabilities under pay‐as‐you‐go and partially funded schemes

Abstract

AbstractThis article provides insights into methodological and measurement considerations and challenges from an actuarial and social security policy perspective with reference to actuarial valuation work undertaken in the recent period. It aims at supporting the global discussion to improve the transparency of the reporting of financial liabilities of social security schemes linked to employment‐based obligations (contributory), as these are often guaranteed by the government following social security funding rules such as pay‐as‐you‐go and partially funded approaches. The article supports the actuarial profession's engagement with experts in national accounting and public finance statistics towards providing improved guidance to national governments in presenting a fair and accurate picture of the financial position of their social security schemes with due and unbiased recognition of the social security policy approach decision of any given country. While the reflection of the financial position of social security schemes guaranteeing long‐term benefits payable for life is most important in terms of possible public finance implications, care must be exercised in adopting a valuation methodology and indicators that are not biased and which do not distort the interpretation of its financial position. In this respect, challenges remain and there is ample scope for refining methodologies and adopting coherent accounting approaches encompassing policy decisions for funding purposes.