An apparatus for error-correction encoding information includes, in one embodiment, an outer encode that generates algebraically decodable data, the outer encoder operatively coupled to one or more inner encoders that generate iteratively decodable data. The outer encoder is adapted to encode a group of (q-r) original data symbols using r code symbols to produce q outer-encoded symbols, wherein the coding gain of the outer encoder provides for the correction of up to x symbol errors and (r-2x) symbol erasures where r is an integer greater than zero and x is an integer such that.ltoreq.< ##EQU00001## The one or more iterative EC-inner encoders are adapted to inner encode each of the q outer-encoded symbols or combinations of several outer-encoded symbols independently of the others, wherein each symbol is encoded with h additional code bits.