EconomySocial Policy
Social Security COLA Forecast: 3.8% in 2027
New forecasts project a 3.8% Social Security COLA for 2027, pushing average monthly benefits above $2,000 for the first time amid persistent inflation.
—4 min read
Category
Social Policy
27 articles
EconomySocial Policy
Wallonia's Zero-Unemployment Pilot: 260 Jobs at Risk
Wallonia's TerritoiR'ES program created 265 jobs for long-term unemployed, but funding ends in 2026 and the minister says the pilot cannot continue as-is.
—5 min read
PoliticsSocial Policy
Belgium: Extended Leave for Fathers of Hospitalized Newborns
Belgium's Vooruit party proposes allowing fathers and co-parents up to 16 extra weeks of leave when a newborn is hospitalized.
—4 min read
SocietySocial Policy
China Unveils Sweeping Policies to Ease Childbearing Costs
China announces new policies on World Population Day to reduce childbearing costs, including expanded maternity insurance and childcare subsidies.
—4 min read
EducationSocial Policy
China Student Loans Hit 620.7 Billion Yuan in 20 Years
China's student loan program has disbursed 620.7 billion yuan over 20 years, helping 68.21 million low-income students access higher education.
—4 min read
Social PolicyPolitics
Belgium's Unemployment Reform: Older Workers Bear the Brunt
Belgium's unemployment reform disproportionately hits older workers in the 4th exclusion wave. Experts don't fully understand why, sparking debate.
—5 min read
Social PolicyEconomy
China Expands Injury Insurance to 30 Million Gig Workers
China expands occupational injury insurance nationwide, covering 30 million gig economy workers including ride-hailing drivers and delivery riders.
—5 min read
Social PolicyChina
China Issues Landmark Regulations for Veterans Employment
China's new 48-article regulation establishes a legal framework for veterans employment, education, and entrepreneurship, effective August 1.
—5 min read
Social PolicyChina
Beijing Elderly Care Service Regulations Take Effect July 1
Beijing's landmark elderly care regulations take effect July 1, establishing a three-tier service network and medical-nursing integration.
—4 min read
Social PolicyChina
China Creates Elderly Care Professional Qualification System
China establishes a three-tier qualification system for elderly care workers, addressing workforce needs amid its aging population of 320 million.
—5 min read
HealthSocial Policy
China Unveils Full-Chain Maternal and Child Health Plan
China's NHC announces comprehensive maternal and child health services centered on five pillars, building on WHO recognition as a top performer.
—4 min read
PoliticsSocial Policy
Trump Pushes to Institutionalize Homeless, Including Vets
Trump advances a policy to institutionalize homeless individuals through civil commitment, raising concerns over civil liberties and treatment of veterans.
—5 min read
Social PolicyChina
Chinese Cities Return Funeral Homes to Public Ownership
Multiple Chinese cities are transitioning funeral homes from private to public ownership, cutting costs and restoring public welfare services.
—4 min read
Social PolicyEconomy
Belgium Unemployment Reform: Only 1 in 10 Excluded Find Work
Only one in ten Belgians who lost unemployment benefits under Belgium's reform have found work, new ONEM data reveals, raising questions about the policy.
—5 min read
EconomySocial Policy
Bank King Card Launched to Aid Single Mothers in Poverty
Redemption Bank launches Bank King Card on Juneteenth, donating from each account to guaranteed income programs for single mothers in government housing.
—5 min read
EconomySocial Policy
China Unveils Five-Year Plan to Tackle Youth Job Crisis
China's State Council issues a sweeping employment strategy for 2026-2030, targeting youth unemployment, AI disruption, and structural labor mismatches.
—5 min read
Legal AffairsSocial Policy
China Marks 40 Years of Juvenile Justice Reform in Shanghai
Senior official Chen Wenqing addresses the 40th anniversary of juvenile prosecution in Shanghai, highlighting China's commitment to minor protection.
—5 min read
EducationSocial Policy
Belgium Funds 80 Daycare Centers to Train Career Switchers
Flemish Minister Caroline Gennez announces 80 daycare centers will train career switchers on the job to address chronic staffing shortages in childcare.
—4 min read
EconomySocial Policy
Social Security Reserves to Run Out by 2032, Report Warns
2026 Trustees Report warns Social Security retirement trust fund will be exhausted by late 2032, triggering automatic 22% benefit cuts.
—4 min read
PoliticsSocial Policy
SF Judge Rejects Challenge to Reparations Fund as Premature
A San Francisco judge ruled a lawsuit challenging the city's reparations fund is premature, allowing the program to move forward for now.
—4 min read
PoliticsSocial Policy
New York Passes Bill Replacing 'Mother' and 'Father' in Law
New York Democrats pass legislation replacing 'mother' and 'father' with gender-neutral terms in family law. The bill awaits Governor Hochul's signature.
—4 min read
Social PolicyEconomy
China Allocates 99.9 Billion Yuan in Childcare Subsidies
China's Finance Ministry allocates 99.9 billion yuan in childcare subsidies for 2026, a 10.6% increase, to address the country's declining birth rate.
—4 min read
EconomySocial Policy
China's New Food Delivery Rules Target Ghost Kitchens
China's sweeping new food delivery regulations take effect June 1, targeting ghost kitchens, mandating AI oversight, and imposing fines up to 200,000 yuan.
—5 min read
LegalSocial Policy
China's Top Court and Regulator Release Minors' Rights Cases
China's Supreme People's Court and market regulator release four typical cases on minors' rights, addressing syringe candy deaths and escape room injuries.
—4 min read
Social PolicyEconomy
China Expands Housing Fund for Renovations and Daily Costs
Chinese cities expand housing provident fund use for renovations, elevator installations, property fees, and heating, unlocking trillions in idle funds.
—5 min read
EconomySocial Policy
China Allocates 999B Yuan in Childcare Subsidies, Up 10.6%
China allocates 999 billion yuan for childcare subsidies in 2026, a 10.6% increase, as part of efforts to boost the declining birth rate.
—4 min read
FinanceSocial Policy
Social Security COLA Forecast at 4% for 2027
Forecasters project a 4% Social Security COLA for 2027, adding $80/month to benefits. Inflation driven by rising energy costs is behind the increase.
—4 min read