Introduction

This project aims to explore and explain inequalities in the incomes of the older population in Britain, Germany, Sweden and the US. We have chosen these countries to represent contrasting systems of social provision in order to reveal the relative importance for income in later life of individual characteristics, lifetime behaviour and the social policy environment.

The research activities include:

1. Mapping the distribution of income, savings and housing wealth among the older population in Britain, Germany, Sweden and the US;
   
   
2. Analysing the pattern of earlier lifetime events among the current older population in the four countries and;
   
   
3. Investigating links between the lifecourse, the welfare state, income, savings and housing wealth in later life.

The project will address key policy questions relevant in each of the four ageing societies, locating British reforms within an international context.

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