Review of \u3cem\u3eReforming Social Security for Ourselves and Our Posterity.\u3c/em\u3e Charles P. Blahous III. Review by Martin B. Tracy

Book review of Charles P. Blahous III, Reforming Social Security for Ourselves and Our Posterity. Westport, CT: Praegar Publishers, 2000. $39.95 hardcove

Review of \u3cem\u3eSocial Security, the Economy and Development.\u3c/em\u3e James Midgley and Kwong Leung Tang (Eds.). Reviewed by Martin B. Tracy.

Book review of James Midgley and Kwong-Leung Tang (Eds.), Social Security, the Economy and Development. New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2008. $85.00 hardcover

The Social Security Controversy: Does the Solution Ignore the Problem?

In 1982 the income levels of 18 percent of women age 65 and over were below the poverty line compared to 7.6 percent of men in the same age group (Kutza, 1982). The reasons for a higher incidence of poverty among older women are often correctly attributed to the generally unfavorable position of women in the labor market. A less frequently discussed contributing factor is the programmatic deficiency of old-age pensions under social security. Two fundamental aspects of old-age pensions have been particularly unresponsive to meeting the economic needs of older women. These are: 1) relating income protection to paid employment; and 2) favoring the needs of families over those of individuals (Campbell, 1982). There is good reason to be concerned with the increasing impact that these program characteristics have on the benefit levels of a significant proportion of elderly women. From 1975 to 1983, for example, the average pension received by all women beneficiaries as a proportion of that received by men dropped from 80 percent to 77 percent. Further, the average aeN award to woman in 1982 was 63 percent of the average new award to men compared to 72 percent in 1975 (Social Security Bullein, 1983)

Review of \u3cem\u3eElders Living Alone: Frailty and the Perception of Choice.\u3c/em\u3e Robert L. Rubinstein, Janet E. Killbride and Sharon Nagy. Reviewed by Martin B. Tracy, The University of Iowa.

Robert L. Rubinstein, Janet E. Killbride and Sharon Nagy. Elders Living Alone: Frailty and the Perception of Choice. Hawthorne: NY: Aldine de Gruyter, 1992. $35.95 hardcover;$18.95 papercover

Review of \u3cem\u3eSocial Development: The Development Perspective in Social Welfare.\u3c/em\u3e James Midgley. Reviewed by Martin B. Tracy, Southern Illinois University at Carbondale

James Midgley, Social Development: The Developmental Perspective in Social Welfare. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, 1995. $65.00 hardcover,$21.95 papercover

Review of \u3cem\u3eOld and Homeless: Double Jeopardy.\u3c/em\u3e Dianne Wiatt Rich, Thomas A. Rich and Larry C. Mullins (Eds.). Reviewed by Martin B. Tracy, Southern Illinois University.

Diane Wiatt Rich, Thomas A. Rich and Larry C. Mullins (Eds.). Old and Homeless: Double Jeopardy. Westport, CT: Auburn House, 1995. $49.95 hardcover

Review of \u3cem\u3ePerspectives on the Economics of Aging.\u3c/em\u3e David A. Wise (Ed.). Reviewed by Martin B. Tracy.

Book review of David A. Wise (Ed.), Perspectives on the Economics of Aging. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press, 2004. $90.00 hardcover

Review of John C. Rife, \u3cem\u3eEmployment of the Elderly: An Annotated Bibliography.\u3c/em\u3e Reviewed by Martin B. Tracy, Southern Illinois University.

John C. Rife, Employment of the Elderly: An Annotated Bibliography. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 1995. $59.95 hardcover

Review of \u3cem\u3eSocial Security and Retirement Around the World.\u3c/em\u3e Jonathan Gruber and David A. Wise (Eds.). Reviewed by Martin B. Tracy, Southern Illinois University.

Book review of Jonathan Gruber and David A. Wise (Eds.), Social Security and Retirement Around the World. Chicago, University of Chicago Press, 1999. $62.00 hardcover. [June 1, 1999]

The Impact of Market Economy Transition on Social Security and Social Welfare in Poland

The development of certain facets of Poland\u27s social protection system since the collapse of state socialism in 1989 is analyzed using a comparative policy process analysis model. Particulara ttention is given to the programs of social assistance, child-care and family benefits, and old-age pensions in the Polish context. On the basis of the analysis it is argued that policy makers should give greater consideration to Poland\u27s unique historical and cultural experience relative to addressing social issues