The Canadian Pension Problem: Should the Canada Pension Plan be Expanded?

CALGARY, Oct. 21 /CNW/ - The School of Public Policy has released a research paper today that argues for the expansion of the current Canada Pension Plan (CPP). 

The paper, titled Expanding Canada Pension Plan Retirement Benefits: Assessing Big CPP Proposals argues that there is a current and growing deficiency in the ability of many workers to maintain their accustomed standard of living into retirement. As such, an expansion of retirement benefits through a bigger CPP is compared against other plans, like expanding workplace pensions and individual savings. These alternative plans are found wanting compared to an expansion of CPP. 

The author, Jonathan Kesselman concludes, "My analysis and review of alternative proposals for reforming the retirement income system strongly support some form of Big CPP. Mandatory and universal coverage with higher benefit rates than the current CPP are essential to ensure benefit adequacy for all Canadians."

Jonathan R. Kesselman is a professor at Simon Fraser University's at Simon Fraser University's School of Public Policy, and holds the Canada Research Chair in Public Finance.

The paper is available by going to www.policyschool.ca and clicking on "latest papers".

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For more information or for interviews contact:
Morten Paulsen
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