Society and Social Security

Social security is linked in many ways to employment status. Those in paid employment are better covered, often, than those whose work goes unpaid. Moreover, many social insurance schemes base their financing model on employment-related contributions. Gainful employment includes productive work performed by employees or by the self-employed. Yet, not all work counts as gainful employment. Unpaid work such as housework, helping out neighbors, or volunteering – work predominantly performed by women – is excluded.

Do men and women have an equal right to social security? This question arises on the one hand for gender-specific risks, such as maternity, and on the other relative to access to social insurance. Access to social insurance is highly dependent on employment status, meaning gender differences in employment histories are reflected in entitlements to social security.

Solidarity between the generations is important for social security systems to work properly, particularly for the AHV (old age and survivors’ insurance) and healthcare insurance. In addition to the redistribution provided by the welfare state, family solidarity between generations is also effective.