Book Reviews by Evangelos Koutronas, D.Sc., Ph.D.
Conference Presentations by Evangelos Koutronas, D.Sc., Ph.D.
The University of Economics and Human Sciences in Warsaw , 2022
During our forthcoming seminar, we want to present our Special Issue announced by the reputable i... more During our forthcoming seminar, we want to present our Special Issue announced by the reputable international journal “Contemporary Economics” entitled: The Russo-Ukrainian War: Impact and Consequences. You will have an unique chance to discuss the topics and ideas of your submissions.
Moreover we want to present our brand new article in this scope that can be used as example and inspiration. It is entitled: “The War Between Ukraine and Russia: How Costly and Painful”.
The academic research on military disputes varies in approach and methodology, revealing the broader concept of military conflict. Because a military confrontation is far from linear, the heterogeneity and complexity of combat dynamics are systemic in nature. The military conflict and its economic assessment’s discrepancies result from the multi‐dimensionality of impact and perplexed redistributive impact patterns. The idiosyncratic nature of military confrontation incidents is based, among others, on the magnitude and duration of the event, the size and state of the local economy, the geographical locations affected, the population density, and the time they occurred. If the calculations of attack-related direct costs and short-run effects are readily traceable, the estimation of indirect costs can be an arduous task.
This special issue provides a multi-disciplinary assessment of the Russo-Ukrainian military confrontation’s global and regional macroeconomic implications. We are looking for papers that investigate the emerging post-conflict economic disruption over the short- and long-run in the context of physical and human capital. Also, studies that overcome theoretical and empirical limitations encountered by the path-dependency perspective, developing aftermath holistic policy objectives under the historical, cultural, social, geopolitical, and economic prism are welcome.
The purpose of this special issue is to shed light on the geopolitical dynamics of the disrupted areas and draw lessons from them that may contribute to the development of effective strategies for international, regional, and local actors to alter the economic incentives that shape the strategy of involved parties.
Background
Reuters reported that 8400 HIV cases were detected in
the voluntary screening of drug ... more Background
Reuters reported that 8400 HIV cases were detected in
the voluntary screening of drug addicts in Harm Reduction Programmes, and screening in prison and Narcotics
Rehabilitation Centers in 2011. However, dental treatment for HIV inmates is highly constrained by high
uncertainty resulting from the changes of epidemic profile after receiving medical treatment, relative inadequacy of dental treatment and rules and regulations.
Thus institutional HIV dental care cost could pose challenges to government healthcare expenditure.
Methods
The marginal cost for dental treatment is estimated
based on the case scenario of prison X in Malaysia.
Based on literature review and economic reasoning, an
integrated cost planning model is formed to address the
current needs in cost planning.
Results
The marginal cost for prison dental treatment is estimated to increase by at least 3 folds for prevalence cases
and by at least 7 folds for surveillance case in short run.
The cost pyramid is formed with the base of cost-consequences, cost efficiency and cost effectiveness planning
followed by cost benefit and financial risk planning at
the second layer, and cost utility planning at the peak
layer. All cost planning components are integrated vertically and horizontally.
Conclusion
HIV dental care costs for inmates will be at the expense
of government revenue if the increased marginal cost is above the average cost. Therefore, cost estimation
coupled with the integrated cost planning model is
essential for evaluation, monitoring and budget allocation enhancement.
Papers by Evangelos Koutronas, D.Sc., Ph.D.
Social Science Research Network, 2019
Social Science Research Network, Jun 20, 2018
Journal of Policy Modeling, May 1, 2022
SSRN Electronic Journal
This paper intends to establish conceptual foundations for analyzing the economic dimensions of a... more This paper intends to establish conceptual foundations for analyzing the economic dimensions of a territorial military conflict. The Intraregiona l Trade Disruption from War Simulator (ITDW-Simulator) attempts to estimate the heterogeneous macroeconomic effects of the military conflict. The model suggests two primary indicators and four secondary indicators. The final trade suffocation index (TS-Index) and the final investment desgrowth from war function (−) measure trade disruption's potential impact on international trade patterns and economic development. The agriculture exports, industrial and manufacturing exports, service exports, and FDI flows capture the trade and investment interdependency. The model investigates the impact of the Russo-Ukraine military conflict on the bilateral trade and investment between the Russian Federation and the European Union.
Social Science Research Network, Jan 19, 2016
This paper examines the impact of Brexit on the East and Southeast Asian economies. The paper add... more This paper examines the impact of Brexit on the East and Southeast Asian economies. The paper addresses the implications and economic impact of several scenarios of the United Kingdom leaving the European Union in relation to trade, foreign investment and financial services, ranging from the 'soft Brexit' with preferential arrangements under the terms of the European Free Trade Association to the state of 'clean Brexit' with arrangements under the terms of World Trade Organization. The review indicates that Brexit will have negative effect on those Asian states rely heavily upon the proceeds from exports to the British and European markets.
ERN: Social Security & Public Pensions (Topic), 2020
This report aims to support policymakers, program designers, and evaluators to develop a comprehe... more This report aims to support policymakers, program designers, and evaluators to develop a comprehensive social protection mechanism. The past decade has seen a marked spike in policy momentum around the importance of social protection policies and programs yet there has been very little attention to social protection’s role in tackling experiences of poverty and vulnerability. Social protection is recognized as a key policy tool to help achieve the Malaysia Development Goals; as a policy approach underpinned by rigorous evaluation evidence; as a critical mechanism to cushion the poor and newly poor from the worst effects of the global recession; and as a core human right. At the same time, the 2010s have seen a renewed interest in the role that addressing gender inequalities can play in achieving broader development objectives. The post-2015 Malaysia development agenda requires a new approach to national development, taking the multiple interlinked domestic and global challenges that...
SSRN Electronic Journal, 2016
This study examines the potential consequences of early withdrawals from the Malaysian Employees ... more This study examines the potential consequences of early withdrawals from the Malaysian Employees Provident Fund in patterns of savings adequacy by studying the impact of house purchase on household lifecycle consumption. The authors develop an overlapping generations model of a small open economy where investment is available to capital, housing, and financial instruments. Housing is modelled as an asset subject of transaction costs. In equilibrium setting, the empirical estimation of exogenous system parameters sets the optimal levels of consumption and savings. The authors perform empirical analysis by taking into consideration four different scenarios: different employment periods (18-55 vs. 25-55), different retirement periods (55-65 vs. 55-75 vs. 55-85), housing vs. non-housing consumption, and theoretical vs actual contribution rates. Actuarial evaluation shows that low-income employees can have sufficient income to meet their retirement needs in the absence of housing consumption. Policy directions are also discussed.
BMC Infectious Diseases, 2012
Jurnal Institutions and Economies
This paper establishes conceptual foundations for analyzing the economic dimensions of regional o... more This paper establishes conceptual foundations for analyzing the economic dimensions of regional or global emerging and endemic infectious disease events, such as the case of Covid-19. The Covid-19 Global Economic Impact Simulator attempts to identify the Covid-19 transmission parameters and forecast its trajectories. The model introduces seven basic indicators - (i) the Covid-19 contagious spread intensity rate (S.I.), (ii) the treatment level for Covid-19 infected cases rate (T); (iii) the number of Covid-19 causalities rate (-C); (iv) the economic wear from the Covid-19 epidemic rate (-Π); (v) the Covid-19 contagious cases multiplier rate (M); (vi) the total economic leaking from the Covid-19 epidemic rate (-Ltotal); and (vii) the economic desgrowth from the Covid-19 epidemic rate (-δ2019-nCoV). Findings show that Covid-19 exhibits parallel spatial and temporal conditions with the related R.N.A. virus family but carries distinct infection signatures and magnitude of virus replicat...
SSRN Electronic Journal
This paper intends to establish conceptual foundations for analyzing the economic dimensions of a... more This paper intends to establish conceptual foundations for analyzing the economic dimensions of a territorial military conflict. The Intraregional Trade Disruption from War Simulator (ITDW-Simulator) attempts to estimate the heterogeneous macroeconomic effects of the military conflict. The model suggests two primary indicators and four secondary indicators. The final trade suffocation index (TS-Index) and the final investment desgrowth from war function measure trade disruption's potential impact on international trade patterns and economic development. The agriculture exports, industrial and manufacturing exports, service exports, and FDI flows capture the trade and investment interdependency. The model investigates the impact of the Russo-Ukraine military conflict on the bilateral trade and investment between the Russian Federation and the European Union.
Social Science Research Network, Jan 23, 2018
This paper formulates a comprehensive pension fund framework for enhancing system capacity to man... more This paper formulates a comprehensive pension fund framework for enhancing system capacity to manage economic and social risks. The National Social Protection Fund (NSPF) attempts to quantify informal sector, incorporated under a unified national protection scheme. The new protection mechanism consists of two sub-funds: the National Integral Social Security Fund (NISSF) and the National Education Fund (NEF). NISSF encompasses all economically active Malaysian population, including the informal workforce, whereas the NEF captures the economically inactive young population. Simulation findings indicate that education, health and income redistribution can improve the livelihood of the vulnerable population groups in Malaysia.
Uploads
Book Reviews by Evangelos Koutronas, D.Sc., Ph.D.
Conference Presentations by Evangelos Koutronas, D.Sc., Ph.D.
Moreover we want to present our brand new article in this scope that can be used as example and inspiration. It is entitled: “The War Between Ukraine and Russia: How Costly and Painful”.
The academic research on military disputes varies in approach and methodology, revealing the broader concept of military conflict. Because a military confrontation is far from linear, the heterogeneity and complexity of combat dynamics are systemic in nature. The military conflict and its economic assessment’s discrepancies result from the multi‐dimensionality of impact and perplexed redistributive impact patterns. The idiosyncratic nature of military confrontation incidents is based, among others, on the magnitude and duration of the event, the size and state of the local economy, the geographical locations affected, the population density, and the time they occurred. If the calculations of attack-related direct costs and short-run effects are readily traceable, the estimation of indirect costs can be an arduous task.
This special issue provides a multi-disciplinary assessment of the Russo-Ukrainian military confrontation’s global and regional macroeconomic implications. We are looking for papers that investigate the emerging post-conflict economic disruption over the short- and long-run in the context of physical and human capital. Also, studies that overcome theoretical and empirical limitations encountered by the path-dependency perspective, developing aftermath holistic policy objectives under the historical, cultural, social, geopolitical, and economic prism are welcome.
The purpose of this special issue is to shed light on the geopolitical dynamics of the disrupted areas and draw lessons from them that may contribute to the development of effective strategies for international, regional, and local actors to alter the economic incentives that shape the strategy of involved parties.
Reuters reported that 8400 HIV cases were detected in
the voluntary screening of drug addicts in Harm Reduction Programmes, and screening in prison and Narcotics
Rehabilitation Centers in 2011. However, dental treatment for HIV inmates is highly constrained by high
uncertainty resulting from the changes of epidemic profile after receiving medical treatment, relative inadequacy of dental treatment and rules and regulations.
Thus institutional HIV dental care cost could pose challenges to government healthcare expenditure.
Methods
The marginal cost for dental treatment is estimated
based on the case scenario of prison X in Malaysia.
Based on literature review and economic reasoning, an
integrated cost planning model is formed to address the
current needs in cost planning.
Results
The marginal cost for prison dental treatment is estimated to increase by at least 3 folds for prevalence cases
and by at least 7 folds for surveillance case in short run.
The cost pyramid is formed with the base of cost-consequences, cost efficiency and cost effectiveness planning
followed by cost benefit and financial risk planning at
the second layer, and cost utility planning at the peak
layer. All cost planning components are integrated vertically and horizontally.
Conclusion
HIV dental care costs for inmates will be at the expense
of government revenue if the increased marginal cost is above the average cost. Therefore, cost estimation
coupled with the integrated cost planning model is
essential for evaluation, monitoring and budget allocation enhancement.
Papers by Evangelos Koutronas, D.Sc., Ph.D.
Moreover we want to present our brand new article in this scope that can be used as example and inspiration. It is entitled: “The War Between Ukraine and Russia: How Costly and Painful”.
The academic research on military disputes varies in approach and methodology, revealing the broader concept of military conflict. Because a military confrontation is far from linear, the heterogeneity and complexity of combat dynamics are systemic in nature. The military conflict and its economic assessment’s discrepancies result from the multi‐dimensionality of impact and perplexed redistributive impact patterns. The idiosyncratic nature of military confrontation incidents is based, among others, on the magnitude and duration of the event, the size and state of the local economy, the geographical locations affected, the population density, and the time they occurred. If the calculations of attack-related direct costs and short-run effects are readily traceable, the estimation of indirect costs can be an arduous task.
This special issue provides a multi-disciplinary assessment of the Russo-Ukrainian military confrontation’s global and regional macroeconomic implications. We are looking for papers that investigate the emerging post-conflict economic disruption over the short- and long-run in the context of physical and human capital. Also, studies that overcome theoretical and empirical limitations encountered by the path-dependency perspective, developing aftermath holistic policy objectives under the historical, cultural, social, geopolitical, and economic prism are welcome.
The purpose of this special issue is to shed light on the geopolitical dynamics of the disrupted areas and draw lessons from them that may contribute to the development of effective strategies for international, regional, and local actors to alter the economic incentives that shape the strategy of involved parties.
Reuters reported that 8400 HIV cases were detected in
the voluntary screening of drug addicts in Harm Reduction Programmes, and screening in prison and Narcotics
Rehabilitation Centers in 2011. However, dental treatment for HIV inmates is highly constrained by high
uncertainty resulting from the changes of epidemic profile after receiving medical treatment, relative inadequacy of dental treatment and rules and regulations.
Thus institutional HIV dental care cost could pose challenges to government healthcare expenditure.
Methods
The marginal cost for dental treatment is estimated
based on the case scenario of prison X in Malaysia.
Based on literature review and economic reasoning, an
integrated cost planning model is formed to address the
current needs in cost planning.
Results
The marginal cost for prison dental treatment is estimated to increase by at least 3 folds for prevalence cases
and by at least 7 folds for surveillance case in short run.
The cost pyramid is formed with the base of cost-consequences, cost efficiency and cost effectiveness planning
followed by cost benefit and financial risk planning at
the second layer, and cost utility planning at the peak
layer. All cost planning components are integrated vertically and horizontally.
Conclusion
HIV dental care costs for inmates will be at the expense
of government revenue if the increased marginal cost is above the average cost. Therefore, cost estimation
coupled with the integrated cost planning model is
essential for evaluation, monitoring and budget allocation enhancement.
Design/methodology/approach – This paper suggests a new analytical tool called “Pensions Consistency (PC) Index” that identifies the level of consistency and the strengths and weaknesses within any pension system. The new conceptual framework focusses on building inter-sectoral and holistic policies able to respond to the new multi-dimensional dynamic environment.
Findings – The consideration of pensionomics concept as an evaluation tool for pension schemes provides insights that are helpful in explaining performance differentials. Taking definition, classification and evaluation as a guiding principle, the new conceptual framework can be a useful point of reference for the overall evaluation of pension schemes, revealing deficiencies that traditional evaluation methods cannot
detect. The multi-disciplinary approach focusses on building inter-sectoral and holistic policies that are able to respond to the multi-dimensional uncertainties of the new dynamic environment.
Research limitations/implications – The heterogeneity and complexity in event dynamics are systemic in the sense that the impact is far from linear. The idiosyncratic nature of unexpected and unpredictable events is rather a result of multi- dimensionality based, among others, on magnitude, frequency, timing, intensity and impact. It is plausible to argue that crisis episodes can destabilize critical systems of
economic activity, producing economic spillovers that can directly or indirectly affect the sustainability of pension schemes. If the calculation of direct economic impact is readily traceable, the estimation of indirect economic impact can be an onerous task.
Practical implications – Pensionomics places the concept of retirement in a multi-disciplinary context. Pensionomics overcomes theoretical and empirical limitations encountered by the path-dependency perspective, developing a new research agenda to study pension schemes under historical, cultural, social, political, economic, political and environmental prism. Integrating diversified data, techniques, perspectives and concepts, pensionomics’ objective is to connect natural and man-made events with social protection mechanisms for the development of a dynamic social protection framework where individual, community and society needs are met effectively and efficiently by implementing tailored policies, closely related to their specific context.
Social implications – The concept of retirement has evolved constantly, transforming societies and shaping both income and non-income dimensions of well-being. Pension entitlement turned gradually from apolitical discourse to a human right discourse. Pension schemes have extended the scope of insurance coverage beyond labour markets and the lifecycle, supporting the broader needs of entire population. Furthermore, pension schemes are widely acknowledged as drivers of economic growth: they enhance labour productivity; foster smooth consumption; and create a stable economic environment for investment and innovation. Current expectations require pension schemes to adopt proactive and reactive policies to examine options for mitigation or for modification of potential consequences in anticipation of exceptional events.
Originality/value – This paper suggests a paradigm shift, a multi-disciplinary approach called pensionomics, and this “multi-disciplinary” focus builds a new analytical framework to evaluate pension’s overall performance based on past work on pension evaluation, incorporating non-economic variables with significant impact on economic growth and social development. PC-Index introduces a comprehensive evaluation tool to study the coverage, performance, efficiency, effectiveness, current trends and future
possibilities of pension schemes.
Social protection is recognized as a key policy tool to help achieve the Malaysia Development Goals; as a policy approach underpinned by rigorous evaluation evidence; as a critical mechanism to cushion the poor and newly poor from the worst effects of the global recession; and as a core human right. At the same time, the 2010s have seen a renewed interest in the role that addressing gender inequalities can play in achieving broader development objectives.
The post-2015 Malaysia development agenda requires a new approach to national development, taking the multiple interlinked domestic and global challenges that exist even more into account. It is therefore of paramount importance that, in view of the multiple roles that social protection can play in social and economic development, the post-2015 Malaysia development agenda will acknowledge the critical role extending adequate social protection plays in furthering key outcomes, ensuring the inclusion of all groups in development and society as a means to combat inequality, vulnerability and poverty. The post-2015 debate needs a renewed and comprehensive focus on poverty, inequality, income distribution and social inclusion. Fiscally sustainable social protection programs based on strong legal and regulatory frameworks should be an integral component of national development strategies to achieve inclusive, equitable sustainable development.
In setting out its point of departure for the study of poverty reduction, the Proposal makes the following significant observations:
• It is crucial to develop a coherent and consistent framework for connecting discussions of poverty and its reduction to strategic links among different dimensions of development, including governance, economic growth, stabilization, and security.
• Policy recommendations should draw substantially from the ideas, theories and experiences available from more successful records of poverty reduction, notably those attained by the Nordic late industrializers and the East Asian developmental states.
• It is necessary to go beyond measuring things that people lack without understanding why by investigating such aspects of poverty as self-reinforcing vertical and horizontal inequalities, and the impact of orthodox macroeconomic policies and the disproportionate tendencies of market forces on these inequalities.
• Equity being an integral component of poverty reduction, it is necessary not to isolate social policy from economic policy, but to analyze the macroeconomic policy and growth strategy that should be pursued in tandem with ‘poverty alleviation’ social policy.
• The notion of participation in current poverty reduction strategies, stresses process rather than substance. By restricting the agenda of participation to empowerment at the micro-level without tackling disempowerment or exclusion at the macro level, the notion ignores the dilemma that poverty is lived at the micro level but its reproduction, intensification or amelioration depend crucially on macro-level policies.
Social protection is recognized as a key policy tool to help achieve the Malaysia Development Goals; as a policy approach underpinned by rigorous evaluation evidence; as a critical mechanism to cushion the poor and newly poor from the worst effects of the global recession; and as a core human right. At the same time, the 2010s have seen a renewed interest in the role that addressing gender inequalities can play in achieving broader development objectives.
The post-2015 Malaysia development agenda requires a new approach to national development, taking the multiple interlinked domestic and global challenges that exist even more into account. It is therefore of paramount importance that, in view of the multiple roles that social protection can play in social and economic development, the post-2015 Malaysia development agenda will acknowledge the critical role extending adequate social protection plays in furthering key outcomes, ensuring the inclusion of all groups in development and society as a means to combat inequality, vulnerability, and poverty. The post-2015 debate needs a renewed and comprehensive focus on poverty, inequality, income distribution, and social inclusion. Fiscally sustainable social protection programs based on strong legal and regulatory frameworks should be an integral component of national development strategies to achieve inclusive, equitable sustainable development.
In setting out its point of departure for the study of poverty reduction, the Proposal makes the following significant observations:
- It is crucial to develop a coherent and consistent framework for connecting discussions of poverty and its reduction to strategic links among different dimensions of development, including governance, economic growth, stabilization, and security.
- Policy recommendations should draw substantially from the ideas, theories, and experiences available from more successful records of poverty reduction, notably those attained by the Nordic late industrializers and the East Asian developmental states.
- It is necessary to go beyond measuring things that people lack without
understanding why by investigating such aspects of poverty as self-reinforcing vertical and horizontal inequalities, and the impact of orthodox macroeconomic policies and the disproportionate tendencies of market forces on these inequalities.
- Equity being an integral component of poverty reduction, it is necessary not to isolate social policy from economic policy, but to analyze the macroeconomic policy and growth strategy that should be pursued in tandem with ‘poverty alleviation’ social policy.
- The notion of participation in current poverty reduction strategies, stresses process rather than substance. By restricting the agenda of participation to empowerment at the micro-level without tackling disempowerment or exclusion at the macro level, the notion ignores the dilemma that poverty is lived at the micro level but its reproduction, intensification or amelioration depend crucially on macro-level policies.
The fourth chapter examines the evolution of social security research from a theoretical and empirical perspective. This is done through an extensive review and analysis of publications from the Journal of International Social Security Review published by Wiley within a 50-year period (1967-2017). It was observed that at a different period in time, the social security research focused on different national and international issues that invoked different social welfare programs and pension systems approach (public or private) to facilitate the explanation of its final socio-economic impact into different social groups in the same country or region respectively. The fifth chapter explores the concept of pensionomics as a prospective tool for pension evaluation. This chapter suggests a paradigm shift: a multidisciplinary synthesis of differing perspectives in evaluating pension overall performance based on past work on pension evaluation, incorporating non-economic variables with significant impact on economic growth and social development. This chapter suggests a new analytical tool called “Pensions Consistency (PC) Index” that identifies the level of consistency as well as the strengths and weaknesses within any pension system. The new conceptual framework focuses on building inter-sectoral and holistic policies able to respond to the new multidimensional dynamic environment.
The sixth chapter examines the impact of welfare reforms on the sustainability of public pension schemes. This chapter reviewed past and current literature and practices of various countries to evaluate the effectiveness of reforms used from the aspect of structural and systemic parameters focusing on sustainability and distributive impartiality. This theoretical review concludes that there is no ideal pension scheme but there are reforms that have shown to be beneficial to the sustainability and distributive impartiality of pension systems and such reforms should be applied in combination to suit the economic dynamism of each individual country. The seventh chapter formulates an analytical framework to analyze whether pension growth can be a determinant of economic growth. The Pension Scheme Performance Evaluation Model (PSPE-Model) intends to study the performance of pension schemes from a macroeconomic perspective. The PSPE-Model tests whether the marginal optimum national pension system coverage critical point based on the national productivity growth performance is simultaneously determined by the efficient coordination of private and public pension system programs coverage and the national productivity level. The model investigates the marginal optimum national pension system coverage critical point of two Asian countries, Japan and Malaysia.
The eighth chapter explores how inflation and the exchange rate can affect the real value of any pension plan system in the long run. In our case, we focus on the specific pension plan system of the Employees Provident Fund (EPF). Nonetheless, we use a new model that is entitled “The EPF Real Value Box –EPFRV Box”. The EPFRV Box facilitates the graphical visualization of the inflation/exchange rate impact on the Employees Provident Fund (EPF). In essence, the EPFRV Box is applied to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) of Malaysia to evaluate the impact of inflation and exchange rates on the Malaysian EPF real value from 1980 to 2030. Finally, the main objective is to apply the EPFRV Box to extend the significance of the impact of inflation and the exchange rate on any pension plan system (in this case EPF) beyond mere theory, using them as practical instruments to solve retirement and pensioner’s problems. The ninth chapter formulates a comprehensive pension fund framework for enhancing system capacity to manage economic and social risks. The National Social Protection Fund (NSPF) attempts to quantify the informal sector, incorporated under a unified national protection scheme. The new protection mechanism consists of two sub-funds: The National Integral Social Security Fund (NISSF) and the National Education Fund (NEF). NISSF encompasses all economically active Malaysian population, including the informal workforce, whereas the NSPF captures the economically inactive young population. Simulation findings indicate that education, health, and income redistribution can improve the livelihood of the vulnerable population groups in Malaysia.
Finally, the tenth chapter proposes a new model based on a group of indicators to evaluate the social security plans performance of ASEAN-members (Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and the Philippines). The first section presents a general review of all possible indicators applies in the evaluation of social security plans performance. Secondly, we present a new indicator, “The Social Security Plans Performance Index (SSPP-Index)” is intended to offer policymakers and researchers an additional analytical tool to study the coverage, efficiency, effectiveness, trend, and future of any social security plan as a whole. The SSPP-Index can be applied to the study of any social security plan and not constrained by geographical area or development stage of the social security plan on the study. The SSPP-Index is a simple and flexible indicator. The third section summarizes the results on the ASEAN-Members social security plans performance under the application of the SSPP-Index.