Banking on Death: Or, Investing in Life: The History and Future of Pensions

This is an immaculately researched book on the history, theory, and politics of pensions, private and public. It will be an important reference point for many years; the 'old-age crisis' is not likely to recede in importance. The book presents recent debates about Social Security fairly, and with sophistication. It describes the operation of 'gray capital' which arises from what economists call information asymmetries between owners and managers of capital. Readers will find stimulating its proposal for the socialisation of pension funds using a share levy as a source of finance. The writing is somewhat terse and dry, but always to the point