Tag: guaranteed income

CEO Argues Universal Basic Income Is Necessary for Social Stability

Bedingungsloses Grundeinkommen

It’s 2017 and universal basic income (UBI) is in the spotlight, thanks primarily to Finland’s pioneering experiment. But even before this, several countries had been considering UBI as an option – each with their own respective trial runs in the works. For instance, India’s Ministry of Finance is set to submit a report that endorses the viability of UBI.

They aren’t alone. The CEO of one of Germany’s largest telecommunications company, Deutsche Telekom (DT), gave his thoughts on the subject of UBI – or bedingungsloses Grundeinkommen – in a recent interview with German daily Handelsblatt. DT CEO Timotheus […]

How Universal Basic Income Could Rescue The Freelance Economy

How Universal Basic Income Could Rescue The Freelance Economy

On January 1 Finland became the first country in history to launch a large-scale universal basic income trial . The two-year trial selected 2,000 unemployed Finnish citizens and will pay them €560 ($587) each month whether or not they find a job during the trial. There are also no requirements for reporting how they spend the money. The experiment aims to see if large-scale UBI programs could actually help boost employment and spur the economy by providing people with a small guaranteed income, which could enable them to take more risks, such as applying for different kinds of jobs, […]

Guaranteed income best for those with disabilities

Guaranteed income best for those with disabilities

The faces of poverty The Ontario government is conducting an online survey to find out what you think about a no-strings-attached basic income as a way to reduce poverty. It’s a step on the road to a pilot project that could last up to three years.

At the risk of spoiling the suspense, I’m going to say giving people more money will reduce poverty. The questions are, would a guaranteed annual income be good public policy and does the government have the money to follow through?

Ontario is following up on a report from former senator Hugh Segal and is prepared […]

Should I invest $1 million of my retirement savings in an annuity?

Should I invest $1 million of my retirement savings in an annuity?

NEW YORK (CNNMoney) — I’m 59 years old and plan on retiring within the next year. My adviser is recommending that I invest $1 million, about 25% of my nest egg, in annuities to generate retirement income. That percentage seems high to me. Is there a rule of thumb about how big a role annuities should play in one’s retirement strategy? –David

I’m not aware of any rule of thumb for what percentage of savings one should devote to an annuity, although over the years I have seen some people suggest figures of 25% to 50% (and sometimes much more).

But […]

India is not ready for universal basic income

India is not ready for universal basic income

But is a UBI feasible? Is it affordable? For instance, if a guaranteed minimum income is provided universally, where would the vast majority of citizens access better nutrition, healthcare and educational facilities for their children? (HT) Ahead of the forthcoming budget on February 1, there is a buzz surrounding the feasibility of a universal basic income (UBI) in the Indian context. Simply put, a UBI is a sum of money provided by the State to all citizens to take care of the bare necessities of life. This measure is intended to provide a “safety net preventing any citizen from […]

‘An occupy moment’: Smiths Falls residents demand basic income pilot project

'An occupy moment': Smiths Falls residents demand basic income pilot project

Carol Anne Knapp, right, and Darlene Kantor interrupt a committee of the whole meeting to make their case for a guaranteed income pilot project in Smiths Falls, Ont. (Hillary Johnstone/CBC News) A proposed pilot project to bring guaranteed income to Smiths Falls, Ont., generated heated debate at a town hall meeting on Monday night, as two local residents stood up and demanded to be heard.

"This is an occupy moment, and we’re here to protest," Carol Anne Knapp told the room, which was filled with town councillors, residents and reporters for the committee of the whole meeting.

Resident Darlene Kantor also […]

Finland first in Europe to take basic income plunge

Finland first in Europe to take basic income plunge

Discussions between the supporters and opponents of the idea of Unconditional Basic Income (UBI) are fierce but Finland has bitten the bullet and implemented the concept across the country in a new landmark pilot project. EurActiv Germany reports .

They crept into our everyday lives a while ago; Artificial Intelligence, biogenetics and the Internet of Things are now regarded as daily conveniences. As its precursors did before it, the so-called 4th Industrial Revolution or Industry 4.0 will significantly change the world of work.

In fact, the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) latest The Future of Jobs study predicts that by 2020 more […]

Local health unit advocates for basic guaranteed income in Smiths Falls

Local health unit advocates for basic guaranteed income in Smiths Falls

Local health unit makes case for basic income guarantee at Smiths Falls town council. Dr. Paula Stewart of the Leeds, Grenville & Lanark District Health Unit presents alongside health unit manager, Elaine Murkin, about the potential public health and social benefits a basic income guarantee could have on Smiths Falls at council’s committee of the whole meeting on Jan. 9, 2017.

Smiths Falls Record News

In a heated debate about whether or not Smiths Falls should play host to the province’s basic income pilot, The Leeds, Grenville & Lanark District Health Unit’s voice is clear — go for it.The health […]

Poverty: ‘It’s a growing national conversation’

Poverty: ‘It’s a growing national conversation’

Scott Brison will be the main speaker at the public forum Let Them Eat Cake on Jan. 12. (STAFF) A dialogue on a guaranteed income and poverty, sponsored by the Annapolis Valley Regional Library, takes place Jan. 12, at 7:30 p.m. at the Kentville Fire Hall.

“Let them eat cake” is a phrase usually attributed to Marie Antoinette and has been used for more than 250 years to demonstrate the gap between the rich and the poor. And for as long as the problems of poverty, food insecurity and the precarious future of work have been discussed, there have been […]

How Finland could see benefits from its basic income experiment

How Finland could see benefits from its basic income experiment

The country is trialling a monthly basic income of £487 with 2,000 citizens One of the greatest political challenges in the 21st century is coming up with a welfare system which is both effective and fair. Recipients and non-recipients of benefits payments are both quick to point out apparent deficiencies in the status quo – as well as problems with any potential alternatives. But some countries are clearly ready for change.

As of 1 January 2017, Finland became the first European country to implement a plan whereby unemployed citizens receive a basic monthly income. Created by the government agency responsible […]