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OECD Journal on Budgeting

The OECD Journal on Budgeting is published three times per year. It draws on the best of the recent work of the OECD Committee of Senior Budget Officials (SBO), as well as special contributions from finance ministries, academics and experts in the field and makes it available to a wider community in an accessible format. The journal provides insight on leading-edge institutional arrangements, systems and instruments for the allocation and management of resources in the public sector.

English Also available in: French

Targeting public spending: Means-testing and user charging

This paper argues that countries will need to better assess potential savings in the provision of universal benefits and providing services free to all at the point of delivery. Instead, programmes will need to be targeted at those truly in need, and services only free to those with limited ability to pay. It draws an analogy to the progressivity of the tax system where those with greater means pay higher taxes. A similar philosophy should be the basis of government spending. It highlights examples of the application of means-testing and user charging for key areas including retirement benefits, health care and education. The paper is meant to stimulate discussion among Senior Budget Officials.

English

Keywords: means testing, user fees, redistribution
JEL: H42: Public Economics / Publicly Provided Goods / Publicly Provided Private Goods; H11: Public Economics / Structure and Scope of Government / Structure, Scope, and Performance of Government; H21: Public Economics / Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue / Taxation and Subsidies: Efficiency; Optimal Taxation
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