Falling through the Cracks: Addressing the Needs of Individuals between Employment and Retirement

• Published in: Canadian public policy 1997-09, Vol.23 (3), p.289-304
• Main Authors: LeBlanc, L. Suzanne, McMullin, Julie Ann
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Age; Age and employment; Canada; Employee pension plans; Employment; Labor force; Labor policy; Middle Aged Adults; Old age benefits; Older workers; Pension eligibility; Pensions; Public pensions; Public Policy; Retirement; Retirement planning; Social and economic security; Social insurance; Social policy; Social Security; Studies; Unemployment; Unemployment relief; Workforce
• ISSN: 0317-0861; 1911-9917
• DOI: 10.2307/3551573

Cet article examine quelques politiques publiques donnant de l'aide financière aux individus exlus de la population active. Nous démontrons que ces programmes négligent les besoins spécifiques de ces individus qui sont considérés plus agée par rapport aux caractéristiques de la population active mais trop jeunes pour bénéficier des pleins revenus de retraite. Nous montrons qu'il existe un potentiel pour que ces travailleurs passent à travers les mailles du filet des politiques publiques et qu'ils se retouvent face à un futur financièrement incertain. Finalement, nous explorons quelques programmes qui ont été utilisés par d'autres pays pour remédier aux besoins de ce groupe d'individus. /// In this paper, we examine some of the public policy that provides financial support to individuals who are no longer in the labour force. We argue that these programs neglect the specific needs of individuals who are considered older by labour force standards and who are yet too young to collect full pension benefits. We show that the potential exists for these workers to fall through the cracks of public policy, leaving them with a financially insecure future. Finally, we explore some of the programs that have been used in other countries to address the needs of this group.