Centre For Excellence

Economic Security and the Intersection of Aging Retirement and Gender

Immigration often leads to the stress of acculturation and adjustment, as well as changes in economic, social and political roles (Levitt et. al. 2005, Berry and Sam 1997). Given the long-term influence of these shifts, combined with the prevalence of underemployment, underpay, discrimination, and social isolation of immigrant women, the experiences of immigrant women in retirement may be different than those of Canadian-raised women (Teelucksingh and Galabuzi 2005, McDonald and Kennedy 2004, Driedger and Hallis 1999, Bauder 2003).

  • Economic Security

Economic Security - 2 column

The heavy connection between the Canadian pension system and labour market performance (including years worked in Canada and income earned over those years) as well as the number of years a person resides in Canada is an example of impact intersecting factors related to migration and life course has on retirees’ income. 

Pillar Definitions:

  1. the Canadian Pension Plan (CPP/ or Quebec Pension Plan QPP) which provides monthly payments based on the accumulation of pension assets through years worked and income earned in Canada,
  2. Old Age Security (OAS) payments based on a residency requirement (40 years for full pension), and
  3. a potential Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) payment which is a means tested income supplement for those with low incomes. Private, or employer provided pension plans also offer what could be called the fourth pillar (McDonald and Donahue 2011).

 

For more info:

  • Teelucksingh, C., & Galabuzi, G.E. (2005). Working precariously: The impact of race and immigrant status on employment opportunities and outcomes in Canada. Ottawa, ON: Canadian Race Relations Foundation : http://www.socialjustice.org/uploads/pubs/WorkingPrecariously.pdf
  • McDonald, L. (2006). Gendered retirement: The welfare of women and the “new” retirement. In L. Stone (Ed.), New frontiers of research on retirement (pp. 137-164). Ottawa: Statistics Canada:  http://publications.gc.ca/Collection-R/Statcan/75-511-X/0010675-511-XIE.pdf
  • McDonald, L. (2006). Gendered retirement: The welfare of women and the “new” retirement. In L. Stone (Ed.), New frontiers of research on retirement (pp. 137-164). Ottawa: Statistics Canada.

The heavy connection between the Canadian pension system and labour market performance (including years worked in Canada and income earned over those years) as well as the number of years a person resides in Canada is an example of impact intersecting factors related to migration and life course has on retirees’ income. 

Pillar Definitions:

  1. the Canadian Pension Plan (CPP/ or Quebec Pension Plan QPP) which provides monthly payments based on the accumulation of pension assets through years worked and income earned in Canada,
  2. Old Age Security (OAS) payments based on a residency requirement (40 years for full pension), and
  3. a potential Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) payment which is a means tested income supplement for those with low incomes. Private, or employer provided pension plans also offer what could be called the fourth pillar (McDonald and Donahue 2011).

 

For more info:

  • Teelucksingh, C., & Galabuzi, G.E. (2005). Working precariously: The impact of race and immigrant status on employment opportunities and outcomes in Canada. Ottawa, ON: Canadian Race Relations Foundation : http://www.socialjustice.org/uploads/pubs/WorkingPrecariously.pdf
  • McDonald, L. (2006). Gendered retirement: The welfare of women and the “new” retirement. In L. Stone (Ed.), New frontiers of research on retirement (pp. 137-164). Ottawa: Statistics Canada:  http://publications.gc.ca/Collection-R/Statcan/75-511-X/0010675-511-XIE.pdf
  • McDonald, L. (2006). Gendered retirement: The welfare of women and the “new” retirement. In L. Stone (Ed.), New frontiers of research on retirement (pp. 137-164). Ottawa: Statistics Canada.

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