Older Workers in the New Economy: The Role of Wage Insurance and the Rethinking of Employment Insurance

I consider the recommendations of the Expert Panel on Older Workers (2008) with regard to Wage Insurance (WI) and Employment Insurance (EI). I argue that there is scope for a limited demonstration project of WI to further assess feasibility and effectiveness, but note that a number of design issues remain open. I assess the fundamental review of EI proposed in the Panel report, concluding that many of the proposals amount to a form of experience rating and an expanded conditioning of policy on individual characteristics. I evaluate such proposals in light of theoretical work on optimal unemployment insurance.

Older Workers in the New Economy: The Role of Wage Insurance and the Rethinking of Employment Insurance Journal Articles