From Publishers Weekly
Blackburn’s dry and detailed book covers an enormous range. It traces the development of pensions from early modern Europe to the present day and expands the discussion to cover a wide variety of government public assistance programs, annuity products sold by insurance companies and mutual assistance organizations. The author’s examination of funding pensions leads to his extensive treatment of topics such as corporate governance, tax policy and executive c…
Buy Banking on Death: Or, Investing in Life: The History and Future of Pensions at Amazon
This is an immaculately researched book on the history, theory, and politics of pensions, private and public. It will be an important reference point for many years; the ‘old-age crisis’ is not likely to recede in importance. The book presents recent debates about Social Security fairly, and with sophistication. It describes the operation of ‘gray capital’ which arises from what economists call information asymmetries between owners and managers of capital. Readers will find stimulating its proposal for the socialisation of pension funds using a share levy as a source of finance. The writing is somewhat terse and dry, but always to the point
A comprehensive review of pensions and retirement programs in England and the United States. The author covers the political climates that have influenced the nature of pensions