Jo Maher HIV & AIDS Coordinator HelpAge International

1. Intergenerational Poverty Jo MaherHIV & AIDS CoordinatorHelpAge International

2. Older people The proportion of older people is increasing Older People are consistently among the poorest Older people are often ‘invisible’ or ignored Increasing interdependence between older and younger people

3. The impact of HIV and AIDS 90% of AIDS related care is provided at home, often by older women. Up to two-thirds of people living with AIDS are cared for by their parents in their 60s and 70s. Over 60% of orphaned children live in households headed by their grandparents in severely affected countries

4. The Cycle of Care

5. Older people’s time

6. The cost of care Rural Mozambique: Cost of caring for a child = $21 Cost of caring for a person living with HIV = $30 Income of an older person = $12 Tanzania: Tanga: Cost of caring for a child TSh25,000 ($19) Pera: Older women spent 80% of their time looking after children 2005: < 10% of households supporting children were reached Declaration of commitment on HIV/AIDS: five years later. Report of General Secretary, 2006

7. Social protection in the form of a social pension Realise older people’s rights Reduce poverty Tackle HIV and AIDS Effectively support the most vulnerable

8. Older people and decent work Older people work: • A high proportion are economically active • Older people’s capacity to earn income is often low • Often work is under recognised, under valued and under paid

9. Universal social pensions After a lifetime of work older people have a right to a pension: • Pensions reduce old-age and household poverty • Pensions are affordable • Universal right to social security and to a secure old age

10. Universal social pensions as % of GDP 1% 2% Source: Pensions Watch, HAI, 2006

11. Universal social pensions - coverage In 17 countries surveyed, 24.3 million people over 60 receive a social pension. 83% do not receive a social pension because they are means-tested or the age limit is set too high. Source: Pensions Watch, HAI 2006

12. The impact of pensions Lesotho old age pension • Basic consumption, services for older people and dependents, income generation. Ethiopia Meket cash for relief programme Mothers able to spend time with children, livelihoods protected from shocks Zambia Kalomo pilot cash transfer scheme Basic consumption, school related expenditure, investment • Mozambique food subsidy programme • Income invested in informal saving schemes during harvest

13. Older Citizens Monitoring: Promoting good governance and uptake of pensions in Bangladesh • Older people formed associations • Monitored allowances and access to health services • Discovered low take up • Lobbying improved coverage and delivery

14. Core recommendations Implement social transfers as a right and entitlement Introduce national instruments with costs integrated into national development plans Incorporate cash transfers into a bigger social protection package Ensure that transfers are regular, predictable and sufficient to ensure the most positive impact on wellbeing Make universal schemes clear and simple

15. A time of opportunity