A/HRC/14/31
United Nations
General Assembly
Distr.: General
31 March 2010
Original: English
Human Rights Council
Fourteenth session
Agenda item 3
Promotion and protection of all human rights, civil,
political, economic, social and cultural rights,
including the right to development
Report of the independent expert on the question of human
rights and extreme poverty, Magdalena Sepúlveda Carmona*
Summary
In this report, submitted in accordance to resolution 8/11, the independent expert
focuses on non-contributory pensions or so-called social pensions. Social pensions consist
of cash benefits received by persons above a given age that do not require prior compulsory
contributions from beneficiaries, employers or the State. Social pensions are an important
dimension of social security systems. States are obliged progressively to ensure the right to
social security and the right to an adequate standard of living to all individuals within the
country. These rights are enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and
several international human rights treaties and International Labour Organization
conventions. Considering the vulnerability of older persons, States must take appropriate
measures to establish social security schemes that provide benefits to all older persons
without discrimination of any kind and ensure equal rights for men and women. Today,
large proportions of the population work outside the formal employment sector and
traditional informal support systems for older people are changing under the pressure of
increased longevity, widespread poverty, the impact of HIV/AIDS and migration.
Contributory pension schemes (e.g. employment-based pensions) do not reach all older
persons. Therefore, States must recognize that social pensions are critical elements for the
progressive realization of the right to social security for older people. Non-contributory
pensions can significantly reduce poverty and vulnerability among old people, in particular
for women, who live longer and are less likely to benefit from contributory systems. The
report provides recommendations on how to ensure that non-contributory pensions comply
with core human rights standards. It also addresses the role of international assistance and
cooperation in the field of social security.
* Late submission.
GE.10-12583 (E)
010410 230410