Maruyama Katsura
Keisen Jogakuen College bulletin, 14(14) 43-61, Jan, 2002
This paper analyze the paradox of retirement pension provision as it relates to women, especially the contribution and pension sharing. Historically, they were treated as financial independence in retirement and as widows, survivors, dependent of their husband. Insurance-based schemes have long included provision for widows and elderly women on the basis of husbands' contribution. In Beveridge report, women were thought as mother and survivors and dependents of their husband and he thought almost married women would not work outside after the war. They are now entering the workforce in greater numbers than ever before and men are no longer seen as the only breadwinner. Yet their lifetime working patterns are generally very different form male employment patterns on which the National Insurance system is based. And Pension Sharing system, introduced on December 2000, are very important for divorced women of low earnings. The court gives order to the pension fund that it must give a percentage of the pension fund to the ex-spouse. The divided period is different between in Scotland and England. In Scotland, the pension is divided only within the period of marriage, but in England, the pension is divided all over the life period. In Japan, the married housewife is treated well than other working people. It is necessary to reform the contribution system of married housewife and also to introduce the pension sharing to ensure the financial status of women.