In addition, changes in the division of labour within the family unit have resulted in a redefinition of the role of the breadwinner, along with women's increased participation in the labour market and, subsequently, increasing debate on splitting pension rights.

These trends call for new types of pension policies and their key instrument, old-age and invalidity benefits. New pension policies are based on a better balance between contributive and protective schemes, greater gender equity, empowerment of individuals, and closer scrutiny of alternative models, including the hidden costs, real sustainability, effects on the insured person's well-being and consequences for the real economy.

How should social security institutions administering old-age and invalidity benefits rethink their activities to address these challenges? How should benefits and services be adjusted to comply with the new societal demands? These and other questions are the focus of the work of the Technical Commission on Old Age, Invalidity and Survivors' Insurance.