Focusing on the future: a summary and critique of the 2013 retirement income report

Every three years, under the New Zealand Superannuation and Retirement Income Act 2001 the Commission for Financial Literacy and Retirement Income is required to conduct a review of retirement incomes, to be submitted to the government. This article presents a summary and discussion of their 2013 report, entitled Focusing on the Future. The commission is funded by the government, but operates and comments as an independent organisation. However, the terms for the triennial review are determined by agreement between the government of the day and the commission. Between reviews the commission’s work focuses on improving New Zealanders’ financial literacy, ensuring that there is free and independent financial information available, and monitoring retirement villages legislation, with the overall objective of improving the financial well-being of New Zealanders throughout their lifetimes. • Robert Stephens is a Senior Associate of the Institute for Governance and Policy Studies. He was formerly Associate Professor in Public Policy at Victoria University. His research has been largely in the areas of social and public policy and tax reform

The Universal Basic Income: should it replace the existing social security system?

A universal basic income (UBI) would provide all citizens with a guaranteed income, irrespective of their earnings, age or household status. It would be financed from a flat-rate personal income tax. It would replace the existing work-based social security system with its plethora of benefit types, abatement rates and eligibility rules. However, when the trade-offs between the competing objectives of a tax/benefit scheme are considered, and the variety of individual and family circumstances that need to be addressed, the apparent simplicity of a UBI quickly disappears. The article shows that while the current tax/benefit system represents a ‘welfare mess’, and needs substantial restructuring, a UBI does not necessarily provide an adequate income for poverty relief, nor ensure labour force incentives, at an acceptable fiscal cost

The Meta-linguistic Model in Information Systems Research

In this paper a meta-linguistic model in information systems research is identified, and some of its shortcomings with respect to actual language situations reviewed. It is argued that a representational commitment implicit in the model is a barrier to understanding the nature of the language/action context or of organizational work, and that more viable approaches require a responsive or reflexive model of language

Horizontal Equity for Disabled People: Incapacity from Accident or Illness

The current dual system of benefit provision and service delivery for disabled people has led to substantial horizontal inequities between those on the ACC register and those receiving income tested social security benefits. Whilst there are often distinct differences in the nature of the clientele between these groups, they often have similar requirements, but can receive quite different treatment. The Disability Strategy offers the prospect that a more unified system will be developed, initially in terms of service provision, especially rehabilitation and access to health care. The move to a combined benefit structure raises issues about the fundamental nature of social security, though equality of access to second and third tier benefits should minimise the degree of conflict between earnings related and flatrate benefits. From the perspective of disabled people, the major issue is access to nonincome support, ranging from access to equipment to health care, education and employment

The Economic And Social Context For The Changes In Accident Compensation

The changes in ACC after 1980 cannot be separated from profound changes in the shape and direction of New Zealand's political economy. Responding initially to the inherited economic imbalances in the 1970s, after 1984 the governing Labour Party launched a major restructuring of the economy and state administration. This paper describes the theories and objectives behind that transformation, as well as the generally disappointing results for economic performance and social equity. Further erosion of confidence in the state and dedication to market-driven policies continued well into the 1990s under the National Party. This paper documents the major trends during this entire period for employment, productivity, social inequality, and poverty

Authenticity and Ethical Practice in IS: Technicism, Reflective Practice and Answerability

This paper examines the concept of authenticity in IS ethics from a position informed from work in progress on Bakhtin’s theory of dialogism. Three approaches to ethical resolution are described: technicism and reflective practice are found wanting with respect to authenticity, while answerability generally conflicts with IS agendas

Managing “This Unstable Financial Life of Mine:” Capabilities, Barriers, and Stress in Student Financial Stories

Researchers have demonstrated that personal financial disadvantage and economic stress impede the academic attainment of students in higher education (Walpole, 2007). Specifically, financial hardships such as low family income, material deprivation, or serious debt may hinder persistence to degree attainment. While scholars have demonstrated that economically disadvantaged (ED) students struggle more than their peers in persisting to a degree, they have not determined the nature of this socio-economic condition and the ways in which this condition may affect persistence and students’ collegiate experiences.This qualitative investigation employs an uncommon approach in explaining a frequently researched topic. It relies on a narrative structure that examines, phenomenologically, how the financial stories of students in higher education interact with their stories of collegiate persistence and experiences at a regional comprehensive university and community college in southern California. Data in this investigation comprise multiple semistructured and email interviews of 18 degree-seeking undergraduate students. Creation of three composite narratives serve as the primary analysis, with additional analysis including coding and categorization guided by capabilities and stress theories. ED students experience personal and family financial struggle before and during college. These students are challenged with both broad and specific affordability issues in a negative environment involving unexpected financial burdens and structural impediments. ED students value the financial security of higher education and are motivated by both struggles and successes. The students demonstrate the capabilities to meet financial needs and believe in individual ability as the determinant to persistence in college yet describe how external factors such as financial aid and employment create barriers to college completion and experiences. ED student financial situations also create stress which affects student experience. Implications for scholars, policy makers, and practitioners are discussed