Together with the Université Rennes 1, the Max Planck Institute for Social Law and Social Policy has investigated whether the social protection systems in Europe are flexible enough to take account of changing labour market conditions and people's increasingly variable careers. The results have now been published in the book "Employment Biographies and Social Protection in Europe". Difficulties exist particularly with regard to the reintegration of older workers into working life - which is problematic given the continuing trend towards increasing working lives. The trilingual contributions (German, English and French) focus on France and Germany - two states with a conservative security model that is almost exclusively linked to the status of employment. Moreover, Norway and the Netherlands provide insights into key reform trends. Publisher's website

The Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs has appointed Prof. Axel Börsch-Supan, Director at the Max Planck Institute for Social Law and Social Policy, as pension expert in the new pension commission. The Commission's aim is to find ways of securing and developing pension systems in a sustainable manner from 2025 onwards, thereby laying the foundation for a new generational contract. Further Information (German)

Dr. Diana López-Falcón, scientist at the Max Planck Institute for Social Law and Social Policy, receives the "Distinguished Mexican Award" by her home country Mexico for her outstanding professional achievements. With this prize, a specially coined silver medal, the Mexican government honors the commitment of compatriots living abroad. It is awarded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in coordination with other institutions such as the Institute for Mexicans Abroad (IME) and the National Institute for Women (INMUJERES).

Jung oder Alt: Wer zeigt die zuverlässigeren Leistungen? - Studie untersucht Tagesschwankungen in der geistigen Leistungsfähigkeit von Erwachsenen – Ältere schneiden besser ab. Wie sehr schwankt unsere geistige Leistungsfähigkeit von Tag zu Tag? Und zeigen ältere Erwachsene größere Leistungsschwankungen als jüngere? Diesen Fragestellungen gingen Forscher aus Berlin, Frankfurt und Schweden in der COGITO-Studie nach. Was die Ergebnisse für die Leistungsfähigkeit Älterer im Berufsleben bedeuten, ordnet der Direktor des Munich Center for the Economics of Aging am Max-Planck-Institut für Sozialrecht und Sozialpolitik ein. Pressemitteilung

Kosten der doppelten Haltelinie - Pressemitteilung (PDF) Studie (PDF)

In order to counteract the rising costs of ageing populations, trends towards deinstitutionalisation, privatisation and marketisation of formal care can be observed in many countries. Yet, the results of a new study by Melanie Wagner, researcher at the Max Planck Institute for Social Law and Social Policy, and Martina Brandt suggest that the opposite would be a far more beneficial strategy. Investing in the provision of easily accessible formal care resources is crucial for the well-being of particularly spousal caregivers who bear the main burden. The researchers used data from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) that is coordinated at the Institute. Publication