New flagship report on social security developments and trends in the Americas

A new ISSA report provides a comprehensive overview of recent reforms, key trends and innovative practices shaping social security systems across the Americas. It was launched today at the Regional Social Security Forum in São Paulo, Brazil.

At a time of demographic change, labour market transformation, fiscal pressures and climate-related risks, the report Social security developments and trends - Americas 2026 shows how social security institutions in the region are strengthening coverage, improving service delivery and reinforcing sustainability, while placing people at the centre of their efforts.

The report by the International Social Security Association (ISSA) sets the analytical foundation for discussions on progress, priorities and challenges at the Regional Social Security Forum for the Americas, the most important event in social security in the region. Over 300 participants from more than 80 organizations in 40 countries are gathered in São Paulo for three days of peer-learning and networking.

"The Americas are demonstrating how social security institutions can adapt to profound economic, technological and demographic changes while continuing to protect people effectively," said ISSA Secretary General Marcelo Abi-Ramia Caetano.

A comprehensive and practice-oriented report

The report offers an in-depth and practice-oriented analysis of developments across five priority areas: Management and innovation for a more effective social security; Social security coverage for a changing labour market; Social security for changing life courses and ageing societies; Social security financing and sustainability; Enhanced coordination for more coherent social security systems.

It places strong emphasis on good practices of ISSA members, illustrating reforms and innovations across all chapters. From digital transformation and artificial intelligence to coverage for platform workers, long-term care, contribution systems and climate resilience, it highlights how institutions are turning policy into practice, making the report a valuable peer-learning tool for members. ISSA members submitted 187 entries to the Good Practice Award competition, providing rich input to the report.

Extending coverage in a changing world of work

The report documents renewed efforts to close coverage gaps for the "missing middle", including self&@8209;employed workers, platform workers and migrants. Countries across the region are adapting registration systems, reforming contribution mechanisms and introducing innovative legal frameworks to ensure that new forms of work do not fall outside social protection.

Recent reforms in areas such as platform work regulation, simplified contribution schemes and semi-contributory pension pillars demonstrate a growing commitment to universality and equity.

Strengthening protection across the life course

From child and family benefits to pensions and long-term care, the report highlights how countries are adopting a life-course approach to social security. Reforms to parental leave, national care systems and disability benefits are helping to address structural inequalities, particularly those affecting women. At the same time, pension reforms in several countries aim to balance adequacy and sustainability through multi-pillar approaches, strengthened solidarity mechanisms and improved governance of pension funds.

Investing in governance, digital transformation and resilience

The Americas continue to lead in digital innovation. The report presents numerous examples of institutions leveraging interoperable systems, biometric identification and artificial intelligence to improve efficiency, accessibility and integrity. Beyond technology, it emphasizes the importance of good governance, strategic planning and risk management.

Enhanced coordination, both within social security systems and across government, emerges as a central theme for delivering coherent, people-centred services. In a region highly exposed to climate and disaster risks, the report also underlines growing efforts to integrate disaster-risk financing and adaptive social protection mechanisms to safeguard both populations and institutions.

The first in a new triennial series

Social security developments and trends - Americas 2026 is the first in a series of regional reports for the ISSA 2026-2028 triennium. It will be followed by reports covering Africa, Asia and the Pacific and Europe, culminating in a global report to be presented at the World Social Security Forum in Mexico in 2028.

As the global voice of social security, the ISSA continues to support its members in promoting adequate, inclusive and sustainable social security systems that protect people throughout their lives.