ABSTRACT
The state has become involved in maintaining, or supplementing the income of its citizens in six distinct ways, as follows:
Providing last resort assistance to those in extreme financial distress regardless of the category of employment they may or may not have had.
Sustaining, if at a reduced level, the incomes of those who are, or have been, part of the labour force, but whose earnings have been temporarily interrupted by sickness or unemployment, or who have retired.
Supplementing family income during the period when there are dependent children to look after – a period when family income is reduced but outgoings are high.
Varying tax liabilities to encourage people to provide for their own retirement, sickness or widowhood.
Enforcing benefit provisions on employers for their employees’ sickness or redundancy.
Regulating occupational and private pension schemes.
