In The External Dimension of EU Social Security Coordination: Towards a Common EU Approach, Pauline Melin provides a detailed legal analysis of the framework on social security coordination with third countries and offers alternative policy solutions to the current fragmented approach.
The analysis comprises a complete overview of the EU approach to social security coordination with third countries, 9 bilateral agreements (between Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands, with respectively India, Turkey, and USA) and international standards. Based on this analysis, the author explores the possibility from an institutional perspective to develop a common EU approach through the conclusion of EU agreements. The author concludes by favouring an alternative softer solution through an EU model agreement and proposes that the content of that model agreement be based on the best practices of the current framework.
Pauline Melin obtained her Ph.D. in 2018 from Maastricht University (The Netherlands). She is currently a lecturer in EU Law at Maastricht University.
1 Introduction
â1âSetting the Scene
ââ1.1âThe Fundamental Elements of Social Security Coordination
ââ1.2âThe Nature of Social Security Coordination
ââ1.3âThe Current EU Social Security Coordination
â2âAims and Structure of the Research
â3âMethodology
ââ3.1âResearch Method
ââ3.2âChoice of Countries
â4âExisting Research on Social Security Coordination with Third Countries
â5âExclusions from the Scope of the Research
â6âTerminology
2 The EU Legal Framework on Social Security Coordination Relevant for Third-Country Nationals
â1âThe Internal Dimension of EU Social Security Coordination
ââ1.1âHistory of the EU Rules on Social Security Coordination
ââ1.2âSocial Security Coordination for Third-Country Nationals Moving between Member States
ââ1.3âThe Coordination Rules under Regulation 1231/2010
â2âThe External Dimension of EU Social Security Coordination
ââ2.1âEU Agreements with Third Countries
ââ2.2âThe EU Migration Directives: Unilateral EU Measures
â3âThe EU Charter of Fundamental Rights
ââ3.1âThe Applicability of the EU Charter
ââ3.2âArticle 34 of the EU Charter: Social Security and Social Assistance
â4âConclusion
3 Member Statesâ Bilateral Agreements on Social Security Coordination with Third Countries: a Comparative Analysis of the Bilateral Agreements between Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany with Respectively India, Turkey and the usa
â1âIndiaâs Bilateral Social Security Agreements with Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands
ââ1.1âBackground of the Bilateral Agreements
ââ1.2âComparison of the Member Statesâ Social Security Agreements with India
â2âThe usaâs Bilateral Social Security Agreements with Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands
ââ2.1âBackground of the Bilateral Agreements
ââ2.2âComparison of the Member Statesâ Social Security Agreements with usa
â3âTurkeyâs Bilateral Social Security Agreements with Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands
ââ3.1âBackground of the Bilateral Agreements
ââ3.2âComparison of the Member Statesâ Social Security Agreements with Turkey
â4âConclusion
4 International Standards Relevant for Social Security Coordination with Third Countries
â1âUnited Nationsâ Instruments
ââ1.1âThe International Bill of Human Rights
ââ1.2âThe International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families (icrmw)
â2âInternational Labour Organisationâs Instruments
ââ2.1âIlo Instruments with Relevance for Social Security Coordination
ââ2.2âIlo Instruments Specifically on Social Security Coordination
ââ2.3âThe Relevance of ilo Instruments within the European Union
â3âCouncil of Europeâs Instruments
ââ3.1âCouncil of Europeâs Instruments on Social Security Coordination
ââ3.2âCouncil of Europeâs Instruments Setting Minimum Standards Relevant for the Field of Social Security
â4âConclusion
5 EU Agreements as a First âSolutionâ to Develop a Common EU Approach to Social Security Coordination with Third Countries
â1âEU Agreements: the âSolutionâ to Achieve a Common EU Approach on Social Security Coordination?
ââ1.1âThe Added Value of a Common EU Approach
ââ1.2âThe Existence and the Nature of EU Competence
ââ1.3âAn EU Agreement Per Third Country Instead of an EU Agreement for All Third Countries
â2âOption 1: EU Agreements that Include Provisions on Social Security Coordination
ââ2.1âThe Inclusion of Social Security Provisions in Association Agreements
ââ2.2âThe Inclusion of Social Security Provisions in Partnership and Cooperation Agreements (pca s)
ââ2.3âThe Inclusion of Social Security Provisions in Free Trade Agreements (fta s)
â3âOption 2: EU Agreements on Social Security Coordination with Third Countries
ââ3.1âArticle 48 tfeu as a Potential Legal Basis
ââ3.2âArticle 79(2)(b) tfeu as a Potential Legal Basis
ââ3.3âA Combination of Article 48 tfeu and Article 79(2)(b) tfeu
ââ3.4âArticle 153 tfeu as an Alternative Legal Basis
ââ3.5âArticle 352 tfeu: the âFlexibility Clauseâ to the Rescue
ââ3.6âEnhanced Cooperation as a Last Resort Solution
â4âConclusion
6 An EU Model Agreement as a Second âSolutionâ to Develop a Common Approach to Social Security Coordination with Third Countries
â1âInstitutional Considerations
ââ1.1âAn EU Model Agreement for the Member States and for the EU Institutions
ââ1.2âThe Optional Character of an EU Model Agreement on Social Security Coordination with Third Countries
ââ1.3âOne Model Agreement Fitting All Third Countries or One Model Agreement Per Third Country?
ââ1.4âThe Working Group on the International Dimension of Social Security Coordination as the Target Group for This EU Model Agreement
ââ1.5âThe Legal Basis for an EU Model Agreement
â2âThe Content of an EU Model Agreement on Social Security Coordination with Third Countries
ââ2.1âPersonal Scope
ââ2.2âMaterial Scope
ââ2.3âEqual Treatment
ââ2.4âRules Determining the Law Applicable
ââ2.5âExport of Benefits
ââ2.6âAggregation of Periods of Insurance
ââ2.7âAdministrative Cooperation
â3âConclusion
7 Concluding Remarks and Policy Recommendations
â1âIdentifying the Elements of the Different Approaches to Social Security Coordination with Third Countries
ââ1.1âThe EU Approach
ââ1.2âThe National Approaches
ââ1.3âThe Relevance of International Instruments for the Development of a Common EU Approach
â2âDeveloping a Common EU Approach to Social Security Coordination with Third Countries
ââ2.1âEU Agreements as a First âSolutionâ Envisaged
ââ2.2âAn EU Model Agreement as a Second âSolutionâ Envisaged
ââ2.3âFinal Conclusion on the Future of the External Dimension of EU Social Security Coordination
Bibliography Index
For researchers and practitioners with an interest in the external dimension of EU social security coordination but also in EU agreements with third countries.