The International Social Security Association (ISSA) has launched the first members’ consultation on new and revised ISSA Guidelines. Four sets of Guidelines are now open for consultation, and seven more will follow in the coming months.
The ISSA Guidelines are the only international standards in social security administration, and they currently cover 15 different areas. Each set is revised every six years to keep up to date with new developments, and when needed additional sections or chapters may be added after three years. During the 2023–2025 triennium, nine of sets Guidelines are being revised, in addition to the development of the new ISSA Guidelines on Administrative Solutions for Long‑Term Care.
The revision and production of the Guidelines are managed through the ISSA Technical Commissions (TC), which held in-depth discussions during the annual TC Forum in June 2024. Now it is crucial to receive input and comments from as many of the ISSA’s 364 member institutions in 163 countries as possible, in order to ensure the maximum quality and representativity of them.
Nine revised Guidelines and new Guidelines for Long‑term Care
The ISSA members are given one month to provide input on each set of revised or new Guidelines, and the ISSA will also seek input from experts and international organizations. The ISSA Guidelines Consultation web page provides more detailed information. ISSA members will be informed for every new set of Guidelines open for consultation.
The first six sets of Guidelines open for consultation are: Contribution collection and compliance, Error, evasion and fraud in social security systems; Investment of social security funds; Prevention of occupational risks; Return to work and reintegration; and Workplace health promotion. In the coming months, there will also be consultations on the revised Guidelines in the following areas: Good governance; Information and communication technology; Service quality.
In addition, there will be a consultation on the new ISSA Guidelines on Administrative Solutions for Long-Term Care. This has been a priority topic for the ISSA during the 2023–2025 triennium, subject to discussion in a number of events, webinars, analysis articles, reports, and as a cross-cutting project for the Technical Commissions.
To be presented at the World Social Security Forum 2025
Following the consultations, the ISSA General Secretariat will work with the responsible Technical Commission(s) to finalise the Guidelines. The final versions will be discussed at the Forum for Technical Commissions in June 2025, before they are presented at the World Social Security Forum taking place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 29 September–3 October 2025.