Social pensions reduce poverty among older people, households and countries.
They support savings and investment, help protect against income shocks, increase labour-force participation and employment in pensioner households, and stimulate local markets and economies.
Social pensions improve access to food, nutrition, healthcare and medicines.
They help households afford safe water and sanitation, improve housing and living conditions, strengthen mental health and wellbeing, reduce disability and mortality, and contribute to greater dignity, self-worth and life satisfaction.
Social pensions provide women with an independent and reliable income, strengthening their financial autonomy and independence.
They reduce the severity of women’s poverty, help narrow the gender poverty gap, and support positive outcomes for women and girls across generations.
Social pensions provide the means for greater independence and enhance older people’s social status and decision-making power.
They contribute to greater dignity, self-worth and life satisfaction, while strengthening intergenerational relationships.
Social pensions improve the health and wellbeing of all household members.
They increase school attendance, improve children’s nutritional outcomes and make granddaughters’ schooling easier and more likely.
Download our resource on achieving income security for all in older age.
Explore where social pensions exist around the world, compare different approaches, and discover where gaps remain.
Find out how any country is designing and delivering pensions, who is covered, and what it costs.
Use our simple online tool to estimate the cost of a social pension for any country.
