Mariano Bosch

Research cited in the leading Latin American political economy journal's analysis of four decades of pension privatization in the region, covering the IDB's comparative work on pension systems.

Published in Pension Policy International (PPI) — an independent global platform specialising in pension policy analysis. Summarises four years of the IDB Retirement Savings Lab across Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru, applying behavioural science tools to promote voluntary pension savings among informal and independent workers.

Quoted as IDB lead expert calling Mexico SAR (Sistema del Ahorro para el Retiro) the most innovative retirement savings system in LAC, citing the GanAhorro program, the Afore Movil app, and the expansion of savings contributions through convenience stores. Presenting results of the IDB Retirement Savings Lab report. Article syndicated by Pension Policy International.

Quoted as lead expert: estimated an average 15% drop in LAC pension funds due to COVID-19 market collapse and advised against panic withdrawals — "In financial crises, do not panic if your funds fall; pension systems are instruments for the very long term." BBC Mundo is the BBC international Spanish-language service reaching tens of millions of readers.

Quoted as the IDB lead voice on COVID-19 impacts on pension funds across Latin America: "En Latinoamerica se habrian perdido en promedio un 15% de los fondos de pensiones, eso solo si se cuenta desde mediados de febrero." One of the most-read economics stories in Peru during the first weeks of the pandemic.

Interview in Mexico leading financial newspaper on pension systems in Latin America, making the case that workers and policymakers hold unrealistic expectations about future pension levels given current coverage gaps and contribution densities.

Quoted extensively by Agencia EFE (the wire story was republished across LAC media) on demographic aging and pension reform urgency: "El problema es que ningun sistema esta pensando en ese envejecimiento acelerado. Se necesitan reformas y se estan intentando ajustes, pero no se estan haciendo lo suficientemente rapido." And: "Aca hay un llamado a la accion. Entre mas se tarden, mas duros seran los ajustes."

Quoted as IDB labor markets specialist at the Colpensiones International Forum on pension reform, outlining IDB proposals to expand coverage, integrate Colombia Mayor, and link Beps with contributory pillars.

Quoted on the launch of the IDB flagship pensions report: "Pese a su gran importancia para el ciudadano y para las cuentas del Estado, las caracteristicas y consecuencias de los distintos disenos del sistema de pensiones son ampliamente desconocidas en la region." Picked up by Opinion, the main newspaper of Cochabamba, Bolivia.

Quoted extensively: "No pension system in the region has assured its fiscal or social sustainability." Presenting the Presente y futuro de las pensiones en ALC flagship report covering 27 country systems.

Presenting IDB research findings on Peru pension fund withdrawals: 7 out of 10 people who withdrew their full pension savings did so without consulting any expert or even their spouse. "Se ha dejado en manos de los afiliados una decision extremadamente compleja, influenciada por sesgos de conducta, como el sobre optimismo, falta de autocontrol, procrastinacion."

Featured in the leading Colombian news magazine on pension disadvantages facing women in LAC: informality, low coverage, and the cost of unpaid care work. Cites IDB data on the gender gap in labor participation (56% vs 83% for men) and projects 140 million people aged 65+ in the region by 2050.

Quoted as IDB pensions expert on the Brazilian pension system, which allowed early retirement in the 50s and consumed 57% of the federal budget. Noted: "The people who are retiring in their 50s, those are not the low-income people... This is the beginning of a series of changes that will have to be made in the next two decades to fix the system."

Quoted extensively in this BBC Mundo feature on informal labour in Latin America (127 million workers, nearly half the workforce): "Entre el 47% y el 60% de los 140 millones de mayores de 65 anos que llegaran a la edad de jubilacion en 2050 no habran ahorrado lo suficiente para financiarse una vejez digna." Story syndicated by El Comercio (Peru) and other LAC papers.

Quoted in Agencia Senado - the official news service of the Brazilian Senate - at a seminar on pension sustainability in the Chamber of Deputies. Bosch highlighted how the "populational tsunami" of the coming decades will require painful solutions: benefit cuts, later retirement ages, or higher taxes. A rare instance of IDB research being cited directly in the Brazilian Congress.

Quoted in this Brazilian news article (Vermelho, one of Brazil largest political news sites) about Bolivia Renta Dignidad pension programme, drawing on the BID book "Melhores pensoes, melhores trabalhos": "Esse programa oferece tal seguranca de ingressos que notamos que ha uma diminuicao da oferta de trabalho do setor populacional que, antes, tinha que seguir trabalhando ate os 80 anos para sobreviver."