Occupational activity and cognitive reserve: implications in terms of prevention of cognitive aging and Alzheimer’s disease

in Clinical Interventions in Aging (2013), 8

This paper investigates the relationship between the concept of activity (including both professional and nonprofessional) and cognitive functioning among older European individuals. In this research, we ... [more ▼]

This paper investigates the relationship between the concept of activity (including both professional and nonprofessional) and cognitive functioning among older European individuals. In this research, we used data collected during the first wave of SHARE (Survey on Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe), and a measurement approach known as stochastic frontier analysis, derived from the economic literature. SHARE includes a large population (n . 25,000) geographically distributed across Europe, and analyzes several dimensions simultaneously, including physical and mental health activity. The main advantages of stochastic frontier analysis are that it allows estimation of parametric function relating cognitive scores and driving factors at the boundary and disentangles frontier noise and distance to frontier components, as well as testing the effect of potential factors on these distances simultaneously. The analysis reveals that all activities are positively related to cognitive functioning in elderly people. Our results are discussed in terms of prevention of cognitive aging and Alzheimer’s disease, and regarding the potential impact that some retirement programs might have on cognitive functioning in individuals across Europe. [less ▲]

Accrued Pension Rights in Belgium: Micro-Simulations of Reforms

Conference (2012, June 20)

Measuring the Technical Efficiency of Airports in Latin America

in Utilities Policy (2012), 22

Accrued Pension Rights in Belgium: Micro-Simulation of Reforms

in International Journal of Microsimulation (2012), 5(2), 22-39

We simulate different reform scenarios of the Belgian pension system using a micro-simulation approach. Using a rich administrative dataset with extensive information on individual earnings histories, we ... [more ▼]

We simulate different reform scenarios of the Belgian pension system using a micro-simulation approach. Using a rich administrative dataset with extensive information on individual earnings histories, we evaluate the impact of the scenarios for the individuals as well as the system as a whole. Our main metric for these analysis is the notion of accrued to date pension rights, i.e. the pensions rights that would be due if the system were shut down today and all accrued rights under current legislation were honoured. Our analysis illustrates that partial reforms have limited effects, both in distributional and in fiscal terms. To achieve more substantial effects, a more comprehensive approach is needed. Regional differences within the country are mostly due to differences in regional GDP rather than the pension system itself. [less ▲]

Disability in Belgium: There is More than Meets the Eye

in Wise, David (Ed.) Social Security and Retirement around the World: Historical Trends in Mortality and Health, Employment, and Disability Insurance Participation and Reforms (2012)

The paper provides a perspective on the development of the Belgian disability insurance system. Using both survey and administrative data, it sketches a picture of the (changing) factors leading towards ... [more ▼]

The paper provides a perspective on the development of the Belgian disability insurance system. Using both survey and administrative data, it sketches a picture of the (changing) factors leading towards disability, as well as the outcomes in terms of program participation. The paper shows the key role of integrating other forms of early retirement programs into the analysis. The main findings are an unspectacular trend in the number of DI beneficiaries over time combined with a strong expansion of (early-) retirement schemes. [less ▲]

Integration of quality indices of distribution in benchmarking analysis

Report (2011)

The changing face of disability insurance

E-print/Working paper (2011)

Accrued pension rights in Belgium: Micro-simulation of reforms

Conference (2011)

Health insurance coverage and adverse selection

in Börsch-Supan, Axel; Brandt, Martina; Hank, Karsten (Eds.) et al The Individual and the Welfare State: Life Histories in Europe (2011)

L’âge de la retraite affecte-t-il le fonctionnement cognitif de la personne âgée?

Conference (2010, September 23)