Reforming Indonesia's Pension System

October 1996 Key options for reforming Indonesia's pension system: reshape the mandatory defined contribution plan (Jamsostek), make employer-sponsored pensions more attractive and affordable, and contain the fiscal burden of civil service plans (Taspen). Indonesia's nascent capital markets stand to benefit significantly from a thriving pension industry. Now is the time to reform the pension system, while it has a vibrant economy, rapidly rising income, and a young and growing workforce. The three main reforms suggested by Leechor are to: Reconsider the role of mandatory defined contribution (Jamsostek) plan. Long-standing public distrust of Jamsostek tends to undermine the government's credibility, and terminating the program would probably win popular support. Without Jamsostek, many firms might operate employer-sponsored plans. One argument for reforming it is that it could be a powerful instrument for resource mobilization. One option is to maintain mandatory participation but abolish the current monopoly on administrative and investment services and open them to competition from accredited banks, insurance companies, and pension-service companies. Another option is allow firms already operating approved plans to drop Jamsostek contributions, but require other firms to make them, choosing their own administrative services. Make employer-sponsored pensions more attractive and affordable. With compliance in the Jamsostek plan so low, the only realistic option for most workers (apart from private savings and relying on family support) is the employer-sponsored pension. Few companies now operate approved pensions, covering only 10 percent of the formal workforce. Certain measures might encourage private firms to adopt plans providing secured and portable pensions: ° Simplifying and expediting registration and approval processes, raising the retirement a...