The specific guidelines in this section are:

• Master Data Management and Master Data Governance Programmes
• Strategies, policies and roles
• Optimization of master data value

International social security agreements make possible the portability of benefits for millions of insured people and generate the export of billions of dollars in cash benefits around the world among signatory countries. This involves significant cross-border data exchange and back-office information processing. The effective and reliable implementation of agreements therefore requires an intensive application of ICT to ensure the integrity of the process.

The institution establishes ICT-related security policies and measures to protect transactions performed in the social security agreement as well as the digital certificates.

Strong investment beliefs that command institution-wide support, are aligned with objectives and inform all investment decision-making, are agreed and documented.

Investment is essentially about making judgements and decisions in the present, typically with reference to the past, to cope with or exploit an uncertain future. Investors do this by using their underlying beliefs about how the world works. The quality of those underlying beliefs is a major determinant of success in investment.

The investment philosophy and process is framed with reference to the investing institution’s skills, resources and processes.

The guidelines set out in this section cover the governance issues relating to the selection, appointment and monitoring of external investment managers. The choice of whether to use an external investment manager depends on the resources available within the social security institution as well as views on the added value such an external manager can bring.

In establishing a framework for prevention, the institution ensures the full participation of social partners and competent state authorities from the outset.

Positive communication at this level is essential in order to gain acceptance and support. These stakeholders must be kept informed and involved from the very beginning and throughout the process.

The institution’s prevention experts continuously provide information on prevention to member enterprises through various information channels.

The institution systematically and thoroughly assesses occupational accidents and occupational diseases as soon as possible after the event, and documents the results.

The purpose of this assessment is to help enterprises identify problematic conditions, behaviour or practice in the workplace and learn from and avoid similar occupational accidents or diseases at other workplaces. Assessment results are documented to provide statistical data and, where applicable, to form the basis for fair compensation.

One of the most important target groups for occupational safety and health solutions is small and medium-sized enterprises, which typically employ the largest number of workers in any country. These businesses differ significantly from large corporations in their structure and resources as well as in aspects of prevention. Small and medium-sized enterprises do not often employ safety and health specialists.

All stakeholders are aware of and assume their responsibilities in regard to the scheme.

The competent institutions develop specific approaches to increase labour participation by vulnerable populations.

International Social Security Association (ISSA) member organizations comprise a broad and diverse group of social security institutions, in both the occupational and non-occupational sectors, from most countries around the world.

Timely access to appropriate medical treatment and vocational rehabilitation is a critical part of the return-to-work process. It enables the person’s quick recovery, maximum functional ability and mobility, and return to work in a position that maximizes their skills and experience.

It is necessary to shift from a primary focus on deficits and incapacity towards an ability-orientated approach.

Privileged information, from both internal and external sources, is accumulated and generated during the return-to-work process. Legal obligations to protect such information, under privacy legislation and professional standards, are complied with.

This set of guidelines has been developed to assist social security institutions further develop and improve service performance.

This set of guidelines has been developed to help social security institutions support and assist their “clients” – public and private sector enterprises and organizations – to develop comprehensive workplace health promotion (WHP) programmes.

The institution offers financial incentives to employers who establish workplace health promotion programmes, linked to outcomes and sustainability.

Financial incentives should be used with caution. There is a risk that, when the incentive period ends, the initiatives may cease and progress in workplace health promotion will be halted.

These guidelines are written for actuaries and other social security professionals undertaking actuarial work for social security schemes, as well as social security institutions, policy-makers and other stakeholders overseeing or reviewing actuarial work.

The actuary is likely to play a major role in issues relating to the day-to-day management and operations of the social security scheme. These roles will include the calculation of benefit entitlements for individuals and the factors to apply in certain situations. The methodology and assumptions used as well as appropriate peer review processes are crucial. The deliberations of the actuary will have a significant impact on the adequacy of benefits and the sustainability of systems.

The social security organization follows a well-defined reporting process with respect to the actuarial valuation of a social security scheme.

A legislated, well-established and well-defined reporting process is a vital part of the good governance procedures for social security programmes. This guideline should be read together with Guidelines 1 and 43.

Actuaries play a key role in the design, implementation and operation of social security schemes. Their expertise is an important contribution to the decision-making process in this respect. Actuaries should be aware that their involvement will include areas with often conflicting objectives, and they will need to use their judgement in the formulation of recommendations. The areas of input are likely to include the costing of new schemes, funding, financing and sustainability considerations, as well as considerations of adequacy and coverage.

The ISSA Guidelines on Administrative Solutions for Coverage Extension aim at strengthening the capacities of social security administrations to deliver effective contributory programmes and to work towards the extension of coverage to groups that are typically difficult to cover.

The institution adopts appropriate measures to facilitate effective registration of difficult-to-cover groups.