[Retirement pensions in Canada: the inequalities of a dualist system]

"Using data from the Survey of Ageing and Independence (N=20,036), this research examines the effect of a dual economy on retirement incomes for both men and women [in Canada]. Specifically, the analysis compares core and periphery retirees on sociodemographic characteristics, work characteristics, income characteristics and pension arrangements. Models are then estimated to ascertain what factors influence the retirement incomes for those retirees who previously worked in the core or periphery of the economy. The findings suggest that Canadian pension policy has served to exacerbate the already precarious economic position of retired women, a known outcome of their unstable labour force histories and family responsibilities. The dualist pension system has assisted in producing an underclass of retirees, the principal causalities being women who previously worked in the periphery of the economy." (SUMMARY IN ENG AND SPA)