Towards the realization of the all-generation social security system
To realize the all-generation social security system, the first meeting of a new government conference tower was held, and Prime Minister Abe called for consideration of sustainable reforms, including increasing supporters of the system. Focusing on further aging societies, the focus will be on entering into fundamental reform discussions, including a review of benefits and burdens.
In addition to Prime Minister Abe and related ministers, Keidanren Chairman Hiroaki Nakanishi and former Keio President Atsushi Seike attended the first meeting of the “All-Generation Social Security Review Conference” newly established by the government. Of experts attended.
At the meeting, in anticipation of 2022 when the so-called baby-boom generation begins to turn 75, we will discuss the social security system in line with the times, such as pension, medical and nursing system reforms, and the realization of diverse work styles. I confirmed to go.
Experts say that efforts to increase supporters are important to maintain the system, and if desired, secure employment opportunities for the elderly so that they can work up to the age of 70, as well as diseases and nursing care to extend healthy life expectancy. There was an opinion that the environment should be promoted so that part-time jobs and side jobs are possible in accordance with various work styles.
In addition, in order to promote the employment of senior citizens, the options for starting pension benefits are expanded beyond 70 years of age. There was an opinion that the theme should be expanded application.
On the other hand, it was pointed out that the review of benefits and burdens should be discussed in order to curb social security costs, and whether or not to raise the window burden at the hospital for late elderly people over 75 years old from the current 10% It is expected to be a subject for consideration.
“A reform to all-generation social security is the biggest challenge. Amid the declining birthrate and aging population, as lifestyles diversify, we will be able to sustain social security in general, with an eye on the arrival of the era of 100 years of life. We want you to consider reform ".
At the review meeting, while considering discussions within the ruling party, we plan to compile an interim report within the year and a final report next summer, discussing fundamental reforms including a review of benefits and burdens, with a view to further aging society. Focus on whether you can step into.
A super-aging society behind the reform
The background to the need to reform the social security system is the further progress of aging.
Three years later, in 2022, the so-called “baby boomer” born in the first baby boom in 1947 to 1948 will begin to turn 75 years old.
In 2025, a total of more than 5.6 million “baby boomers” will all be elderly people over 75 years old.
As a result, in 2025, the number of late elderly people aged 75 and over is projected to reach 21.8 million, 18% of the total population. One in five people are elderly in the latter term, and social security costs are expected to increase rapidly.
Furthermore, in 2040, the baby boomer junior generation of the second baby boom will be over 65 years old, and the number of elderly people will peak at over 39 million people.
As a result, social security costs related to pensions, medical care, and nursing care continue to expand, from approximately 121 trillion yen last year (FY2018), from 140 trillion to 141 trillion yen in FY2025, and in 2040 It is estimated that it will reach 190 trillion yen from 188 trillion yen, which is more than 1.5 times.
An urgent issue is how to cover social security expenses that are expanding due to the aging of society.
Argument “Promotion of employment for the elderly”
At the meeting, it is expected that discussions to promote employment for the elderly will be promoted.
According to government research, the number of people working at the age of 65 or older was 8.26 million last year, the highest so far. The government is working to improve the environment so that motivated seniors can work longer if they wish.
The background is that, while the working generation population is declining, energetic elderly people want to be supported by social security supporters.
Currently, companies are obliged to hire all applicants up to the age of 65, but the government has decided on a plan to secure employment opportunities until the age of 70, and it is included in the “Bold Policy” in June. It was.
In the system proposal, there are seven options such as abolition of retirement age, extension of retirement age up to 70 years, introduction of continuous employment system, etc., and the system is a system that can be selected by the government. It's a schedule.
In addition, the meeting is expected to examine the details of how the company is involved, such as how much the company is responsible.
We will also discuss the review of the pension system, such as expanding the options for the age at which pensions can start to be received, starting with the age of 70.
Issue “Pension Field”
In the pension field, the first issue is the expansion of the scope of Employees' Pension.
It will be considered to relax the conditions of participation so that short-time workers working in part-time workers can easily join the welfare pension. It is expected to be a measure for low pension for non-regular employees in the so-called “working ice age” generation, as it will lead to future income security for short-time workers. On the other hand, the burden on companies paying half of their premiums will increase, so the focus will be on understanding.
In addition, elderly people who have a certain income that can be selected from the age of 60 to 70 can be selected from the age of starting pension to 75 years old, and that the elderly are motivated to work Review including the abolition of the system called “In-service old-age pension”, which reduces pensions, is also an issue to consider.
These system reforms are being discussed in parallel by the MHLW council, and the government wants to submit related bills to the ordinary Diet next year.
Argument "medical field"
In the medical field, whether to raise the contact burden at hospitals for elderly people over the age of 75 from 10% is expected to be an issue to be examined.
Medical expenses were approximately 40 trillion yen in the previous fiscal year (FY2018), but are expected to increase with the aging of the population, from 47 trillion yen in FY2025 to 48 trillion yen, and further in FY2040 It is estimated that it will increase from 67 trillion yen, which is 1.5 times more, to 69 trillion yen.
On the other hand, the insurance premium rate for salaried workers combining medical care, nursing care, and pension is expected to exceed 30% in FY2022.
For this reason, in order to reduce the burden on the active generation and maintain the medical insurance system, it is necessary to ask the elderly to increase a certain burden. , We are seeking to raise the contact burden to 20% in principle.
In response to this, the Japan Medical Association and other organizations are demanding careful consideration as it may lead to the suppression of consultations that refrain from going to the hospital for elderly people who have difficulty living.
Amid rebounds from the elderly, the focus will be on how far into the discussion of increased burden.
Argument "care field"
In the field of nursing care, the revision of the nursing care insurance system every three years is scheduled for next year, and discussions are underway at the Council of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare.
Nursing care costs continue to increase year by year as a result of the aging of the population, and this amount is 11.70 trillion yen on a budget basis this fiscal year, approximately three times that of the 2000 fiscal year when the system started.
In the future, the number of elderly people is expected to increase toward 2040, and the review of benefits and burdens is an urgent issue.
Under such circumstances, the Council of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare is discussing the review of the long-term care insurance system, and one of the issues is the review of self-pay when using long-term care services.
In the case of living alone, the percentage of self-pay is 10% if the annual income is less than 2.8 million yen, 20% if it is 2.8 million yen or more, and 30% if the annual income is 3.4 million yen or more, which is the same level as the active generation.
It is considered whether to expand the target of 20% burden or 30% burden by reviewing these standards.
However, it is expected that discussion will be difficult due to concerns that the use of nursing care services will increase if the self-pay increases.
In addition, it is expected to consider whether to pay for the “care plan” created when receiving nursing care services at home and whether to shift the life support services for long-term care 1 and 2 from the country to businesses in municipalities.
The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare's council has decided to compile a revised plan by the end of the year, and the bill is expected to be submitted to the ordinary Diet next year.
Raising self-pay
The elderly households are worried about raising the self-pay in the medical and nursing fields.
Fukuji Takiuchi (98) who lives in Tokyo has a bad heart and his wife Noriko (93) suffers from diabetes, etc., and visits medical treatment and taking medicines, and the two of them together are about 20,000 yen per month. Of medical expenses.
In addition, Fukuji-san is certified as requiring long-term care 3 and Noriko-san is certified as requiring long-term care 5, and uses nursing care services such as home-visit and home-care.
The two have received a pension, but after deducting medical and nursing expenses, the rest will be in the dozens of thousands of yen.
The life of the two is supported by his son, Shigeki (60), but he retired and became a temporary employee, and his income decreased significantly.
In the future, the government plans to consider whether it will raise the burden of contact at hospitals, etc. from 10% in principle for late elderly people over 75 years of age, such as Mr. Kajiuchi.
In addition, Mr. Shigeki feels anxiety because the review of standards for self-pay of nursing care services will be considered.
Mr. Shigeki said, “I am able to live now, but I am worried that I will be able to do it when my parents suffer from a serious illness due to an increase in the proportion of self-pay. It may make life difficult. "
Argument "Disease prevention and health promotion"
One of the themes is measures to promote disease prevention and health promotion. Prolonging healthy life expectancy by improving lifestyle and preventing dementia is expected to reduce medical and nursing costs.
For local governments and “health insurance unions” that have actively worked to prevent lifestyle-related diseases and improve the rate of cancer screening, it is expected that more financial support will be considered.
Minister of Economy, Nishimura “Creating a new system for Ryowa”
At the press conference, Mr. Nishimura, the minister in charge of economic revitalization, said, “I would like to conduct a study from the perspective of building a social security system that everyone can feel secure and handing it over to the next generation. I am not thinking of completely cutting off the security, and I would like to work together to build a social security system for the new era of Ryowa. "
Keidanren Nakanishi Chairman “Should be reviewed by the elderly”
Keidanren Chairman Nakanishi, who is a member of the All-Generation Social Security Review Conference, told reporters after the conference: “Keidanren now sees a great opportunity to review social security. I said that it should be considered very positively about the burden of the elderly, and we have to spend more money on the young people, ”and thought that the burden of the elderly should be reviewed. Showed.
In addition, Mr. Nakanishi said as a future corporate response, “A system that increases the number of workers and secures as many pensioners as possible is important. “It ’s a big responsibility,” he said.
Nichiken Kengo Chairman, “Careful Discussion”
Mr. Yuri Tsuji, the chairman of the Japan Research Institute, said, “We had a discussion that the baby boomer generation was about to become a senior citizen and it would be necessary to review social security comprehensively.”
After that, “The review of benefits and burdens is very important, and we talked about whether it is necessary to have a careful discussion about what kind of ability to bear regardless of age. As for pensions, as work styles diversified, we expressed the opinion that many people would need to think about getting into the pension system. "
Former President Seike Keio "" Aggressive Reform ""
“I think it ’s better to think about“ aggressive social security reform ”in the medium to long term,” says Keio University ’s former president, Atsushi Seike. “It ’s an“ aggressive reform ”to increase supporters,” he said.
On top of that, “Benefits and burdens will of course become a central issue. There are no tips, so we have to increase the burdens in order to enhance the benefits, and where to balance them. It ’s a point. ”
Mr. Masuda, General Affairs Minister
Former Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications Hiroya Masuda, Visiting Professor of the University of Tokyo Public Policy Graduate School, told reporters, “Since many social security benefits are implemented through local governments, local governments need to look at them. “There is a need to discuss the increased burden, but since many people are involved, we must proceed from carefully listening to diverse opinions.”
Suntory President Shinnami “Creating a safe structure”
Suntory Holdings President Takeshi Shinami said, “As a legacy of the Abe administration, we would like to create a system that“ social security is safe and safe for the future. ” It is important to think fundamentally that the burden is reduced for those who are severe, and spending reform is also necessary, but not only reducing spending but also increasing productivity by spending budgets on preventive medicine, It may also be important to increase the number of workers. "