KIHASA has published four more new research monographs, including "Pension Wealth Analysis Considering Life-Cycle in Aging Society." 

• 1.Pension Wealth Analysis Considering Life-Cycle in Aging Society by Shin, Hwa-yeon, et al.
  The analysis is conducted by considering the main characteristics of the national pension, which determines the pension level according to one's labor income during the working period. Considering the life cycle, such as the extension of life expectancy, it is necessary to analyze lifetime income until retirement and expected pension assets until death. The analysis results showed that although the national pension is a representative old-age income security system, it is not sufficient to prepare for retirement income with the national pension alone. Although the pension level is insufficient, it appears to be a good system in terms of profitability. For individuals, it is necessary to give priority to the national pension system for old-age income. In order to secure a more generous old-age income, it is necessary to consider other old-age systems such as retirement pensions. To ensure fiscal sustainability, we may want to consider parametric reforms that could further ease the current benefit-cost structure. In addition, it is necessary to review further maximize the fund management return rate and alleviate the overall financial burden.
  
  

• 2.Tobacco Tax Policy and the Use of Earmarked Taxes for Public Health: An International Comparison by Choi, Eun Jin, et al.
  The purpose of this study was to compare and analyze the tobacco tax policies of OECD countries based on the Word Health Organization(WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control(FCTC). We reviewed the components of tobacco price policies by collecting data from the WHO and OECD. Major indicators included tax burden proportion, advalorem and specific taxes, price elasticity, and purchasing power. As new tobacco products have been increasingly developed and emerging, licensing and market monitoring system should be strengthened to prevent illicit trading. The post-tax proceeds from tobacco taxes should be used to reduce health disparities and support tobacco control and smoking cessation services.
  
  

• 3.Current Status and Policy Directions for Essential Health Care and Public Health Care in Korea by Bae, Jaeyong, et al.
  This study aims to provide policy directions and tasks for strengthening essential health care and public health care in Korea. We conducted a theoretical review of the concepts and scopes of essential health care and public health care. We also reviewed the history and current status of essential health care policies as well as public health care policies in Korea and identified key issues through in-depth interviews with experts. Additionally, we conducted a survey to understand the public’s perceptions and opinions on essential health care and public health care. Based on the findings, we suggested policy directions and tasks for strengthening essential health care and public health care.
  
  

• 4.A Study on the Development of Indicators of Social Trends Monitoring by Ham, Young Jin, et al.
  This study develops trend indicators in key social policy areas to better respond to social, economic, and institutional changes, with the aim of bringing qualitative improvements to periodic analyzes of social policy performance and trends. To this end, we selected the concept of 'social wage'―an indicator designed to comprehensively measure the performance of the welfare state and its impact on people's lives as a whole. We examined both how the social wage can be measured and how it can be applied in practice. In particular, we conducted actual measurements of social wages, drawing on existing debates and definitions. Our trend analysis focused on performance indicators across several domains: healthcare (life expectancy and life expectancy at birth), income and housing (average household income), social services (long-term care payment rates), population (per capita and demographics), and overall social security. We analyzed these indicators by policy area, population subgroup, and life-cycle stage. Building on prior research, we centered our analysis on key indicators within each major social policy area and assessed the feasibility of using the social wage as a central measure of the welfare state’s performance and impact.