A Shaky Social Protection System Spells Vulnerability: Growing Older in 21st-Century Peru

[...]to ONP, a minimum pension guarantee does not exist-another difference with Chile-, and there are no solidarity transfers among affiliated employees.At retirement age of 65 (for both systems), AFP affiliates can purchase an annuity from insurance companies or make withdrawals until they exhaust their pension balance. Since 2017, AFP affiliates can cash in 95.5 percent of their total pension balance when they turn 65. [...]the steady increase in informality reduces coverage rates. [...]in Peru-as well as in other societies with similar shaky social protection systems for vulnerable people-the extended family, the community of friends and charitable organizations-will continue to provide meaningful informal support during old age. Pensions are clearly important although even in Noya's case, totally insufficient to pay expenses. [...]older persons' income usually need to be supplemented or supported by family, relatives and friends.