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Dalle, Axana, Elsy Verhofstadt & Stijn Baert (2024): The subsidy trap: Explaining the unsatisfactory effectiveness of hiring subsidies for the senior unemployed. (Working paper / Ghent University. Faculty of Economics and Business Administration 2024/1082), Gent, 36 S.

Abstract

"To extend the labor market participation of seniors, numerous countries provide subsidies to incentivise their recruitment or employment. Prior research demonstrates that the effectiveness of such subsidies is rather unsatisfactory, although the reasons for this inadequacy remain unclear. Therefore, we examined negative employer perceptions triggered by eligibility for such subsidies that might explain this disappointing effectiveness. To this end, we set up a vignette experiment in which 292 genuine recruiters assessed fictitious candidates on their hireability and underlying productivity estimations. These candidates differed experimentally in their eligibility for a hiring subsidy targeted at the unemployed aged 58 or over. Our results indicate that the subsidy has a negative effect on their hiring outcomes. This adverse effect is explained by negative perceptions that counteract the financial incentive. Specifically, the subsidized candidates signal lower physical and technological skills along with an augmented difficulty in hiring and labor inspection." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Klinges, Giulia, Alain Jousten & Mathieu Lefèbvre (2024): Social Security and Inequality in Belgium. (IZA discussion paper / Forschungsinstitut zur Zukunft der Arbeit 16735), Bonn, 37 S.

Abstract

"Over the years, the Belgian social security system has undergone substantial reform with a prime focus on increasing older worker labor force participation. The paper explores the effect of past reforms on inequality in old age. We distinguish two separate effects: The mechanical effect considers the change in inequality and expected benefit levels due to the reforms for a fixed retirement age distribution. The behavioral effect accounts for the endogenous change caused by changes in the incentives to work. Our results show that mechanically, reforms have led to losses in expected benefits for all but the lowest income quintile. Behavioral changes had a positive but orders of magnitude smaller effect. Overall, inequality decreased as a result of reforms." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Taber, Christopher, Ananth Seshadri & Xiaodong Fan (2024): Estimation of a Life-Cycle Model with Human Capital, Labor Supply, and Retirement. In: Journal of Political Economy, Jg. 132, H. 1, S. 48-95. DOI:10.1086/726232

Abstract

"We estimate a life-cycle model of consumption, human capital investment, and labor supply. The interaction between human capital and labor supply towards the end of the life cycle is most novel. The estimates replicate the main features of the data, in particular the large increase in wages and small increase in labor supply at the beginning of the life cycle and the small decrease in wages but large decrease in labor supply towards the end. We show that incorporating human capital is critical when analyzing changes to Social Security." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Beznoska, Martin & Ruth Maria Schüler (2023): Lohnt sich der Hinzuverdienst bei vorgezogenem Rentenbezug? (IW-Kurzberichte / Institut der Deutschen Wirtschaft Köln 2023,40), Köln, 3 S.

Abstract

"Zum 1. Januar 2023 ist die Hinzuverdienstgrenze für vorgezogene Altersrenten gefallen. Rentnerinnen und Rentner, die vorzeitig mit Abschlägen oder abschlagsfrei in Rente gehen, können neben dem Bezug ihrer Rente unbegrenzt sozialversicherungspflichtig weiterverdienen. Die Abgabenbelastung ist jedoch relativ hoch, so dass die Arbeitsanreize eher gering sind." (Textauszug, IAB-Doku)

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Brugiavini, Agar & Petru Crudu (2023): The Role of Disability Insurance on the Labour Market Trajectories of Europeans. (Working papers / Università Ca' Foscari Venezia, Dipartimento di Economia 2023,20), Venezia, 81 S.

Abstract

"This work documents the role played by disability insurance, typically part of a wider public pension provision package, on the labour market trajectories and retirement decisions. We will first employ a machine learning approach to estimate a Transition Probability Model able to uncover the most likely labour market histories and then evaluate the effects of policy reforms, including reforms to the eligibility for disability insurance benefits. The main contribution is the introduction of disability insurance programs within a framework, which models the entire life course of older Europeans. This requires the detailed administrative eligibility criteria prevailing in each of the 11 countries from 1970 to 2017. Results show that the disability route and early retirement are substitutes. In addition, tightening eligibility rules of disability programs crowd out disabled workers, whose reductions in working capacities are correctly assessed, towards other compensatory schemes (e.g., unemployment benefits or early pension) in which working is not expected. On the contrary, individuals with over-assessed reductions in working capacities are the most reactive to disability policy restrictions. In conclusion, efficient disability assessment procedures are crucial for incentivising labour market participation without hurting individuals most in need." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Cetin, Sefane & Alain Jousten (2023): Retirement Decision of Belgian Couples and the Impact of the Social Security System. (IZA discussion paper / Forschungsinstitut zur Zukunft der Arbeit 16470), Bonn, 30 S.

Abstract

"This paper investigates the retirement patterns of married couples in Belgium. To forecast retirement behavior, we use administrative Social Security data from 2003 to 2017 and a discrete choice random utility model. In particular, we concentrate on the spousal bonus of pension payments to comprehend how financial incentives resulting from the social security system's structural design affect both partners' retirement decisions. We simulate the effect of the elimination of the spousal bonus and find that a small portion of women delay their retirement whereas the rest substitute into alternative social security benefits. Our results do not only highlight the significance of cross-program spillovers between various Social Security benefits, but also the heterogeneity in preferences for retirement and asymmetry of retirement behavior between husbands and wives." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Dalle, Axana, Louis Lippens & Stijn Baert (2023): Nothing Really Matters: Evaluating Demand-Side Moderators of Age Discrimination in Hiring. (IZA discussion paper / Forschungsinstitut zur Zukunft der Arbeit 16672), Bonn, 60 S.

Abstract

"As age discrimination hampers the OECD's ambition to extend the working population, an efficient anti-discrimination policy targeted at the right employers is critical. Therefore, the context in which age discrimination is most prevalent must be identified. In this study, we thoroughly review the current theoretical arguments and empirical findings regarding moderators of age discrimination in different demand-side domains (i.e. decision-maker, vacancy, occupation, organisation, and sector). Our review demonstrates that the current literature is highly fragmented and often lacks field-experimental evidence, raising concerns about its internal and external validity. To address this gap, we conducted a correspondence experiment and systematically linked the resulting data to external data sources. In so doing, we were able to study the priorly determined demand-side moderators within a single multi-level analysis and simultaneously control multiple correlations between potential moderators and discrimination estimates. Having done so, we found no empirical support for any of these moderators." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Fernández, Juan J., Gema García-Albacete, Antonio M. Jaime-Castillo & Jonas Radl (2023): Priming or learning? The influence of pension policy information on individual preferences in Germany, Spain and the United States. In: Journal of European Social Policy, Jg. 33, H. 3, S. 337-352. DOI:10.1177/09589287231164347

Abstract

"A promising approach to pension policy preferences focuses on the influence of policy related information. We advance this research programme by examining the impact of information about future pension benefits, including whether information effects occur through priming, learning or both. Drawing on a novel, split-sample survey experiment in the US, Germany and Spain, we examine the impact of information on forecasted pension replacement rates for 2040 on pension policy attitudes. Findings indicate that the information treatment increases support for the two outcomes considered: (i) increases in the pensionable age and (ii) greater spending on pensions relative to other social programmes. Analyses of heterogeneous treatment effects accounting for prior beliefs of participants show that information effects occur both through priming and learning. The study concludes that hard, non-partisan information increases support for reforms that foster the financial sustainability of pension systems, although the scope of information effects depends on contextual conditions." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Focacci, Chiara Natalie, Gülin Öylü, Andreas Motel-Klingebiel & Susanne Kelfve (2023): The value of pension reforms for late working life: evidence from Sweden. In: The international journal of sociology and social policy, Jg. 43, H. 13/14, S. 79-89. DOI:10.1108/IJSSP-02-2023-0038

Abstract

"Purpose: Driven by the aim to increase the participation of older people in the labor force and to extend people's working lives, the Swedish Parliament passed a bill in 1998 to increase the pension eligibility age from 60 to 61 years and establish a notional defined-contribution (NDC) plan. In this article, the authors investigate the impacts towards the prolongation of working lives expected from such an intervention. Design/methodology/approach The authors apply a multinomial probabilistic model based on Swedish registry data on the birth cohorts 1937–1938 (n  = 102,826) and observe differences in exit behaviour between eligible and non-eligible individuals. Findings: The authors find that the cohorts eligible to the pension reform exit the labor market at a later age compared to non-eligible cohorts at the 61-years cut-off. The authors also find that the effect persists in the long term. Furthermore, the authors find that both men and women are equally struck by the reform. Originality/value While there exist many descriptive reports and theoretical analyses on the costs and benefits of pension reforms, this study is the first one to empirically analyse the effect of the first European NDC pay-as-you go pension plan on the potential exclusion of old-aged workers." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku, © Emerald Group) ((en))

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Gerrard, Jessica & Juliet Watson (2023): The Productivity of Unemployment and the Temporality of Employment-to-Come: Older Disadvantaged Job Seekers. In: Sociological research online, Jg. 28, H. 1, S. 21-36. DOI:10.1177/13607804211009534

Abstract

"This article demonstrates how unemployment is made productive through workfare activities for older disadvantaged job seekers. We suggest that the requirement to look for work, engage in education and training, and participate in voluntary work blurs the boundaries between employment and unemployment. Drawing on in-depth qualitative research with older disadvantaged job seekers, we demonstrate how this obligatory productivity is lived and felt, characterised by shame and frustration and framed by the temporality of waiting and searching for work. We suggest that this experience of ‘productive’ unemployment can be described as a dissonant state of ‘transitional stasis’, whereby job seekers are expected to transition out of unemployment and poverty while experiencing the long-term and ongoing effects of immobility." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Geyer, Johannes (2023): Erwerbsminderungsrente: Weiterer Reformbedarf. In: Wirtschaftsdienst, Jg. 103, H. 5, S. 290. DOI:10.2478/wd-2023-0089

Abstract

"Der Verlust der Erwerbsfähigkeit ist ein unterschätztes Einkommensrisiko. Erwerbsminderung ist für die überwiegende Mehrheit gleichbedeutend mit dem Wegfall ihrer wichtigsten Einkommensquelle, ihrem Lohn. Der Konsum wird dann aus einer Erwerbsminderungsrente, Transferleistungen, dem Einkommen anderer Haushaltsmitglieder, eigener Erwerbstätigkeit in geringem Stundenumfang und, falls vorhanden, Erspartem bestritten. Immerhin gehen rund 160.000 Menschen jährlich in eine Erwerbsminderungsrente. Im Rentenbestand sind es 1,8 Mio. Menschen, hinzu kommen etwa 2,7 Mio. Menschen, die inzwischen eine Altersrente beziehen. Bezogen auf alle Alters- und Erwerbsminderungsrenten liegt der Anteil der ursprünglich Erwerbsgeminderten bei immerhin 22 %." (Textauszug, IAB-Doku)

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Gudgeon, Matthew, Pablo Guzman, Johannes F. Schmieder, Simon Trenkle & Han Ye (2023): When Institutions Interact: How the Effects of Unemployment Insurance are Shaped by Retirement Policies. (NBER working paper / National Bureau of Economic Research 31807), Cambridge, Mass, 62 S.

Abstract

"This paper shows empirically that the non-employment effects of unemployment insurance (UI) for older workers depend in a first-order way on the structure of retirement policies. Using German data, we first present reduced-form evidence of these interactions, documenting large bunching in UI inflows at the age that allows workers to claim their pension following UI expiration. We then estimate a dynamic life-cycle model and use it to directly quantify how the effects of UI vary with retirement policies. Accounting for interactions across UI and retirement institutions also helps explain otherwise difficult-to-explain trends in the unemployment rate of older German workers." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Hernaes, Erik, Tom Kornstad, Simen Markussen & Knut Røed (2023): Ageing and labor productivity. In: Labour Economics, Jg. 82. DOI:10.1016/j.labeco.2023.102347

Abstract

"We exploit a policy-induced shift in the labor supply of elderly (age 63–67) workers in Norway to explore how aging of the workforce within existing firms is likely to affect labor productivity and the demand for younger workers. Our results are imprecise, but indicate that a higher share of age 63–67 workers increases total wage costs and has a small positive effect on labor productivity in the short run. Postponed retirement of existing elderly workers leads to a significant decline in the hiring of younger (below age 30) workers." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku, © 2023 Elsevier) ((en))

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Kim, Soohyun (2023): Access to employer-provided paid leave and eldercare provision for older workers. In: Community, work & family, Jg. 26, H. 3, S. 285-291. DOI:10.1080/13668803.2021.1885346

Abstract

"Paid leave for family and medical reasons is an important workplace benefit for older workers with eldercare responsibilities by offering time off from work to deal with the need for caregiving, but little is known about its effects on eldercare provision. I study the association between employer-provided paid leave and eldercare provision among workers aged 45 or over, using the 2011 and 2017–18 American Time Use Survey and its Leave Modules. Among various types of leave, paid leave for eldercare was the only type of leave associated with an increase in any care provision by six percentage points. The positive relationship was stronger for care provided less than daily than care provided daily. The significant, but small, increase in care provision associated with paid leave for eldercare suggests the role of paid leave in facilitating care for older adults among middle- and old-aged workers." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Moghadam, Hamed Markazi, Patrick A. Puhani & Joanna Tyrowicz (2023): Pension Reforms and Couples' Labour Supply Decisions. (IZA discussion paper / Forschungsinstitut zur Zukunft der Arbeit 16039), Bonn, 43 S.

Abstract

"To determine how wives' and husbands' retirement options affect their spouses' (and their own) labour supply decisions, we exploit (early) retirement cutoffs by way of a regression discontinuity design. Several German pension reforms since the early 1990s have gradually raised women's retirement age from 60 to 65, but also increased ages for several early retirement pathways affecting both sexes. We use German Socio-Economic Panel data for a sample of couples aged 50 to 69 whose retirement eligibility occurred (i) prior to the reforms, (ii) during the transition years, and (iii) after the major set of reforms. We find that, prior to the reforms, when several retirement options were available to both husbands and wives, both react almost symmetrically to their spouse reaching an early retirement age, that is both husband and wife decrease their labour supply by about 5 percentage points when the spouse reaches age 60). This speaks in favour of leisure complementarities. However, after the set of reforms, when retiring early was much more difficult, we find no more significant labour supply reaction to the spouse reaching a retirement age, whereas reaching one's own retirement age still triggers a significant reaction in labour supply. Our results may explain some of the diverse findings in the literature on asymmetric reactions between husbands and wives to their spouse reaching a retirement age: such reactions may in large parts depend on how flexibly workers are able to retire." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Morris, Todd & Benoit Dostie (2023): Graying and Staying on the Job: The Welfare Implications of Employment Protection for Older Workers. (IZA discussion paper / Forschungsinstitut zur Zukunft der Arbeit 16430), Bonn, 44 S.

Abstract

"We study the welfare implications of employment protection for older workers, exploiting recent bans on mandatory retirement across Canadian provinces. Using linked employer- employee tax data, we show that the bans cause large and similar reductions in job separation rates and retirement hazards at age 65, with further reductions at higher ages. The effects vary substantially across industries and firms, and around two-fifths of the adjustments occur between ban announcement and implementation dates. We find no evidence that the demand for older workers falls, but the welfare effects are mediated by spillovers on savings behavior, workplace injuries, and spousal retirement timing." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Orfao, Guillermo & Miguel A. Malo (2023): Are active labour market policies effective for the older unemployed? A meta-evaluation. In: Ageing & Society, Jg. 43, S. 1617-1637. DOI:10.1017/S0144686X21001288

Abstract

"We present a meta-evaluation of the literature on the impacts of active labour market policies for unemployed people over 50, extracting 82 impacts for analysis. The meta-evaluation includes only impact evaluations that examine both a group of beneficiaries and a control group of comparable non-beneficiaries. On average, we find that active policies have a slightly negative effect (−0.8 percentage points) on the probability of unemployed people over 50 finding a job and that this negative effect disappears 24 months after policy implementation. However, this effect is very different when disaggregated by policy type. Direct job creation policies have a clear negative effect (−3.9 percentage points), and training policies have a positive average effect, either in isolation (2.4 percentage points) or when combined with search assistance or counselling (1.7 percentage points). We also find slight differences by gender, with the effect of active policies being greater for women than for men. These results have important implications, given that the European Commission and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development have made active policies the cornerstone of their efforts to improve the re-employment of older people. Our results support training policies, either in isolation or in combination with search assistance and counselling. The greatest impacts are obtained after 12 months of policy implementation." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Sacco, Lawrence B., Laurie M. Corna, Debora Price & Karen Glaser (2023): Pathways of participation in paid and unpaid work in mid to later life in the United Kingdom. In: Ageing & Society, Jg. 43, H. 9, S. 2067-2094. DOI:10.1017/S0144686X21001537

Abstract

"Policy responses to population ageing have focused on lengthening working lives, overlooking inequalities in older adults’ participation in unpaid activities. This paper examines participation in paid and unpaid activities between the ages of 55 and 70 to answer two questions: how do people navigate pathways of paid work, informal care, volunteering, civic participation and housework in mid to later life?; and how do these pathways relate to gender, socio-economic and health inequalities? Two-staged latent class analysis was used to identify activity pathways using data from the British Household Panel Survey (1996–2008). Multinomial logistic models assessed associations between latent pathways and socio-demographic and health characteristics. Three pathways were observed: full-time work to low activity (49%), part-time and in-home work (34%) and multiple activities (16%). Aside from retirement from full-time work, the pathways of participation in paid and unpaid activities were characterised by continuity; substitution between different forms of paid and unpaid work was not observed. Participation in multiple paid and unpaid activities was more common for respondents in better health and of higher socio-economic status. Since the promotion of paid work and volunteering in later life may mainly benefit individuals in advantaged circumstances, policies should avoid taking a blanket approach to encouraging participation in multiple activities, a key component of active ageing." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Senghaas, Monika, Christopher Osiander, Gesine Stephan, Olaf Struck & Richard Wolff (2023): The perceived fair duration of unemployment benefits for older workers. The role of lifetime achievements in the labour market. In: International Journal of Social Welfare, Jg. 32, H. 2, S. 164-177., 2022-08-03. DOI:10.1111/ijsw.12558

Abstract

"The welfare state regulates social policies and reallocates scarce resources. For the social legitimacy of the welfare state, it is important that the public supports the principles underlying this reallocation. This article examines the impact of different activities during the life course on public deservingness perceptions of older unemployed people. In a factorial survey experiment conducted among a random sample of individuals drawn from German administrative employment records, we examine the maximum duration of benefit receipt which is perceived as fair for older unemployed persons with different biographies. The results indicate strong public support for a nexus between previous contributions and benefit entitlements. Besides financial contributions to unemployment insurance, parenting and further training are considered to be ‘lifetime achievements’ which justify longer unemployment benefit receipt. We interpret these findings as an expression of a generalised form of reciprocity which guides perceptions of deservingness regarding older unemployed persons." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku, © Wiley) ((en))

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Becker, Sebastian, Hermann Buslei, Johannes Geyer & Peter Haan (2022): The Effect of Pension Wealth on Employment. (IZA discussion paper / Forschungsinstitut zur Zukunft der Arbeit 15836), Bonn, 49 S.

Abstract

"This study provides novel evidence about the pension wealth elasticity of employment. For the identification we exploit reform-induced variation of pension wealth that is related to the number of children but which does not affect the implicit tax rate of employment. We use a difference-in-differences estimator based on administrative data from the German pension insurance and find that, on average, the negative employment effect of pension wealth is significant and economically important. Heterogeneity analyses document a strong age pattern showing that the employment effects are driven by behavioral responses of women close to retirement. The age pattern is partly explained by the positive effect of pension wealth on disability pensions after the age of 60." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Blank, Florian & Erik Türk (2022): Altersrenten und sozialer Ausgleich in Deutschland und Österreich – ein Vergleich anhand von Modellrechnungen. In: Sozialer Fortschritt, Jg. 71, H. 2, S. 139-163. DOI:10.3790/sfo.71.2.139

Abstract

"Die Gegenüberstellung der Rentenansprüche für einheitliche, idealtypische Biografien ermöglicht den Vergleich von Unterschieden der Rentensysteme selbst. Die von der OECD erstellten Modellbiografien mit durchgehenden Erwerbsverläufen, abschlagsfreiem Renteneintritt und stabilen Einkommenspositionen bilden den Ausgangspunkt für den Vergleich der Rentenversicherungen Deutschlands und Österreichs. Die Vorgehensweise der OECD wird dargestellt, sofern erforderlich korrigiert, aktualisiert und weiterentwickelt. Zusätzlich werden Arbeitslosigkeit, vorzeitiger Renteneintritt sowie Kindererziehungszeiten berücksichtigt. Durch diese Ergänzungen werden eine höhere Realitätsanbindung erreicht und Elemente des sozialen Ausgleichs einbezogen. Es zeigt sich, dass die österreichische Pensionsversicherung in jeder Konstellation deutlich höhere Leistungen gewährt, die Elemente des sozialen Ausgleichs den Abstand teils vergrößern, teils verringern." (Autorenreferat, IAB-Doku)

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Bloemen, Hans (2022): Job search requirements for older unemployed workers. Search requirements for the older unemployed affect their re-employment rates and their flows into states of inactivity. (IZA world of labor 235,2), Bonn, 11 S. DOI:10.15185/izawol.235.v2

Abstract

"Politische Maßnahmen zur Aktivierung älterer Arbeitnehmer sind in vielen OECD-Länder mit rasch alternden Bevölkerungen von großer Bedeutung. Forschungsergebnisse deuten darauf hin, dass die Integration Älterer in die allgemein an Arbeitslose gestellten Suchanforderungen zu einem verstärkten Übergang in Beschäftigung führen kann. Als negativer Begleiteffekt ist allerdings eine Zunahme von Inaktivität, etwa durch Berufsunfähigkeit, zu berücksichtigen. Insgesamt kann eine Strategie, die konkrete Suchanforderungen an ältere Arbeitslose stellt und mit einem Monitoringverfahren verbindet, die Wiederbeschäftigung von Älteren deutlich stärken." (Autorenreferat, IAB-Doku)

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Davare, Ramani, Felix Kreis & Amara Scheitlin (2022): Population ageing and its consequences in health, labour market and gender policies. (European Centre for Social Welfare Policy and Research. Policy brief 2022,03), Wien, 23 S.

Abstract

"Population ageing in the next few decades will result in a higher fraction of older people in European societies. In 2050, there will be close to half a million centenarians and approximately 130 million people over the age of 65 living in the EU with important consequences for economic growth, labour markets and social security. Still, European states have implemented international initiatives and recommendations rather poorly and to different extents. This policy brief analyses the current limitations in ageing-related health, labour market and gender policies in Hungary, Estonia, Germany and the Netherlands." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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De Brouwer, Octave & Ilan Tojerow (2022): Old-Age Unemployment and Labor Supply: An Application to Belgium. (IZA discussion paper / Forschungsinstitut zur Zukunft der Arbeit 15628), Bonn, 47 S.

Abstract

"Over the last two decades, most OECD countries have reformed their social security in order to make early departures from the labor market increasingly difficult. Despite the fiscal gains that are expected from these reforms, it is likely that these gains from longer careers will be partly offset by increasing expenses on other social security programs. This article sheds light on this issue by exploring the consequences of postponing access to an old-age unemployment program from age 58 to 60. The program provides laid-off workers with a combination of unemployment benefits and a monthly supplement paid by the employer until the full retirement age. Exploiting a rich set of administrative data, we study the effect of this reform on workers' employment and various social security benefits (i.e. unemployment, disability, early retirement and compensated working time reductions), using a triple difference method as identification strategy. Our results show that, for men, the reform had a positive effect on employment, with a small positive effect on a program called Time-Credit, i.e., a social security program that facilitates working time reductions at the end of the career. For women, we find no significant effect on employment but instead a large spillover effect on unemployment. We find that gender differences in job characteristics can help to explain this difference, since women are more likely to work in part-time, low-wage and blue-collar occupations than men, and no significant employment effects are found for these groups of workers." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Deeg, Dorly J. H., Morten Blekesaune & Astrid de Wind (2022): Employment trends at older ages: policy impact or secular change? In: European Journal of Ageing, Jg. 19, H. 3, S. 689-698. DOI:10.1007/s10433-021-00664-0

Abstract

"Observed increases in retirement age are generally attributed to policies to extend working lives (PEW). In a quasi-experimental design, we examine to what extent increases in employment of older workers can be attributed to secular changes in individual characteristics as opposed to PEW. We compare two countries: one with clear PEW (the Netherlands) and one without PEW (Norway). Data come from the Dutch Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam and the NORwegian Longitudinal study on Aging and Generations. From each study, two same-age (55–64 years) samples are selected, one recruited in 2002–03, and one recruited after five (Norway) and ten years (Netherlands). In pooled regression analysis, paid work is the outcome variable, and time of measurement, the main independent variable. Individual characteristics include age, sex, educational level, self-perceived health, functional limitations, sense of mastery, and work status of partner. Employment rose in both countries, faster in the Netherlands than in Norway. Of the rise in employment, individual characteristics explained less in the Netherlands than in Norway. Accounting for these, the interaction country*time was significant, indicating an extra rise in employment of 5.2 and 7.5% points for Dutch men and women, net of individual characteristics and unobserved factors that are assumed to be similar in both countries. The extra rise in the Netherlands represents 57% of the total rise for both sexes. Thus, secular change in individual characteristics explains part of the rise in employment in both countries. In the Netherlands, other factors such as PEW may additionally explain the rise in employment." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Di Novi, Cinzia, Paolo Paruolo & Stefano Verzillo (2022): The Role of Employment Protection Legislation Regimes in Shaping the Impact of Job Disruption on Older Workers' Mental Health in Times of COVID-19. (JRC working papers in economics and finance 2022,02), Brüssel, 32 S.

Abstract

"This study exploits individual data from the 8th wave of the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) and the SHARE Corona Survey to investigate the mental health consequences of COVID-19 job disruption across different European countries. It focuses on older workers (aged 50 and over) who were exposed to a higher risk of infection from COVID-19 and were also more vulnerable to the risk of long-term unemployment and permanent labour market exits during economic downturns. The relationship between job disruption in times of COVID-19 and older workers' mental health is investigated using differences in country-level employment legislation regimes in the EU. European countries are clustered into three macro-regions with high, intermediate and low employment regulatory protection regulations, using the Employment Protection Legislation (EPL) aggregate score proposed by the OECD. Results reveal a clear EPL gradient: job disruption has a positive and significant impact on older workers' psychological distress especially in those countries where EPL is more binding. The present findings suggest possible mitigating measures for older unemployed in the EU countries with higher Employment Protection legislation." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Drescher, Susanne & Martin Brussig (2022): Regionaler Vergleich: Ältere in sozialversicherungspflichtiger Beschäftigung und Arbeitslosigkeit. (Altersübergangs-Report / Institut Arbeit und Qualifikation (IAQ), Universität Duisburg-Essen 2022-03), Duisburg, 15 S.

Abstract

"Die Beschäftigungsquote der 55- bis unter 65-Jährigen in Deutschland lag 2021 bei 56,6 Prozent, die Arbeitslosenquote bei 6,1 Prozent. Ein Vergleich von Arbeitsmarktregionen zeigt jedoch ein differenzierteres Bild der Arbeitsmarktsituation von Älteren. Eine vergleichsweise niedrige Beschäftigung gibt es vor allem in den nordöstlichen und westlichen Regionen Deutschlands. Regionen im Osten, aber auch im Westen, sind von hoher Arbeitslosigkeit betroffen. Der Vergleich der 55- bis unter 65-Jährigen mit den 25- bis unter 55- Jährigen zeigt, dass sich die Arbeitsmarktsituation in manchen Regionen für beide Altersgruppen ähnelt. Es gibt aber auch Regionen, in denen die Indikatoren zur Erwerbsbeteiligung und Arbeitslosigkeit auf eine schlechtere Arbeitsmarktsituation für Ältere hindeuten. Besonders die 60- bis unter 65-Jährigen sind selten sozialversicherungspflichtig beschäftigt und weisen gleichzeitig eine hohe Arbeitslosigkeit auf. Die regionalen Unterschiede bleiben bestehen." (Autorenreferat, IAB-Doku)

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Freeman, Richard B. (2022): Planning for the “Expected Unexpected”: Work and Retirement in the U.S. After the COVID-19 Pandemic Shock. (NBER working paper 29653), Cambridge, Mass, 33 S. DOI:10.3386/w29653

Abstract

"This chapter analyzes the implications of the unexpected 2020-2021 COVID-19 pandemic for work and retirement in the U.S. The pandemic induced the greatest loss of jobs in the shortest period of time in U.S. history. A slow economic recovery would surely have endangered work longer/retire later policies that seek to adjust the finances of Social Security retirement to an aging population. Boosted by the huge CARES (March 2020) and ARPA (April 2021) rescue packages, the early recovery from the COVID-19 recession was faster and stronger than the recovery from the 2007-2009 Great Recession. Even so, the pandemic greatly altered the job market, with workers suffering from long COVID having difficulty returning to work and more workers working from home. In its immediate effect and potential long-run impact, the pandemic recession/recovery is a wake-up call to the danger that shocks from the natural world pose to work and retirement. Realistic planning for the future of work and retirement should go beyond analyzing socioeconomic trends to analyzing expected unexpected changes from the natural world as well." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Geyer, Johannes, Peter Haan, Svenja Lorenz, Thomas Zwick & Mona Bruns (2022): The role of labor demand in the labor market effects of a pension reform. In: Industrial Relations, Jg. 61, H. 2, S. 152-192. DOI:10.1111/irel.12293

Abstract

"This paper shows that labor demand plays an important role in the labor market reactions to a pension reform in Germany. Employers with a high share of older worker inflow compared with their younger worker inflow, employers in sectors with few investments in research and development, and employers in sectors with a high share of collective bargaining agreements allow their employees to stay employed longer after the reform. These employers offer their older employees partial retirement instead of forcing them into unemployment before early retirement because the older employees incur low substitution costs and high dismissal costs." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku, Published by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons) ((en))

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Gross, Brigitte, Silke Brüggemann & Marco Streibelt (2022): Überblick zu Trends und Entwicklungen von Erwerbsminderungsrenten. In: Deutsche Rentenversicherung, Jg. 77, H. 3, S. 242-254.

Abstract

"Die jährlichen Zugänge in die Erwerbsminderungsrente sind seit über einem Jahrzehnt mit etwa 180 000 neuen Fällen pro Jahr trotz unterschiedlicher gesetzlicher Änderungen vergleichsweise stabil. Dem stehen - ebenfalls stabil und trotz des Grundsatzes "Reha vor Rente" - eine nur mäßige Inanspruchnahme von Rehabilitationsleistungen vor einer Erwerbsminderungsrente und nur wenige Abgänge in aktive Arbeit entgegen. Der folgende Beitrag beleuchtet Hintergründe für diese Entwicklung und stellt die aktuell verfügbaren Handlungsoptionen der Deutschen Rentenversicherung überblicksartig dar. Hierbei wird in besonderer Weise auf die Bedeutung des umfassenden Ansatzes des Fallmanagements eingegangen und aufgezeigt, welche Herausforderungen, aber auch Entwicklungsoptionen bestehen, um dem eigentlichen Auftrag der Rentenversicherung, der Wiederherstellung der Erwerbsfähigkeit und damit der Sicherstellung von Teilhabe am Arbeitsleben, zukünftig noch besser gerecht zu werden." (Autorenreferat, IAB-Doku)

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Hajnal, Áron & Ágota Scharle (2022): European Network of Public Employment Services: Mapping PES responses against labour market discrimination. Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union, 45 S. DOI:10.2767/40536

Abstract

"The report provides an overview of PES approaches, based on a survey conducted in 2021. It shows that in most countries, the PES mandate is limited to its general role in supporting job search and protecting jobseekers’ rights. However, some PES have a detailed and proactive anti-discrimination strategy and other PES mainstream support into their overall approach of individualised services." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Hwang, Hyunjeong & Oliver Röhn (2022): Tackling the challenges of population ageing in the Slovak Republic. (OECD Economics Department working papers 1701), Paris, 60 S. DOI:10.1787/03edcf77-en

Abstract

"Slovakia's population is ageing rapidly, with the share of the working-age population expected to shrink by about a fifth in the next 30 years. Ageing-related costs are projected to increase much more strongly than in other EU countries and ageing will put pressure on potential growth and living standards. To prepare for an ageing society, pension, health and long-term care, as well as labour market reforms are needed to extend working lives, improve the health of the ageing population, and enhance the efficiency of public spending. Linking the retirement age to life expectancy and tightening early retirement pathways notably for mothers and disability pensioners is important to extend working lives and improve pension sustainability. Health outcome are lagging behind other OECD countries largely due to high preventable mortality, especially among disadvantaged groups, highlighting the importance of a national strategy to reduce preventable mortality, as well as targeted approaches. Measures are also needed to improve the efficiency of health and long-term care spending, notably through reforming the network of hospitals, expanding central procurement of pharmaceuticals, and expanding the supply of in-home long-term care services. Higher employment of older workers is hampered by a range of labour market barriers, including fewer training opportunities, higher job strain, and a lack of flexible working arrangements. Labour participation of mothers with young children is also low, reflecting excessively long parental leave, low financial work incentives, and a lack of childcare facilities." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Lorenz, Svenja, Thomas Zwick & Mona Bruns (2022): Beware of the employer: Financial incentives for employees may fail to prolong old-age employment. In: The Journal of the Economics of Ageing, Jg. 21. DOI:10.1016/j.jeoa.2021.100363

Abstract

"We show that a stepwise increase in the normal retirement age (NRA) by up to five years and the introduction of actuarial pension deductions for retirement before NRA was ineffective in prolonging employment of older men after early retirement age. We argue that the ineffectiveness of the German pension reform resulted from a change in employer behavior that was mainly induced by a recession during the implementation period of the pension reform. Employers seem to have nudged their employees to use a bridge option that was introduced with the pension reform (partial retirement) or a traditional bridge option (unemployment). These bridge options allowed an early retirement age (ERA) of 60 instead of the only alternative early retirement option with an ERA of 63. Bridge options therefore offered employers an opportunity to terminate employment considerably earlier and exert more influence over the employment exit age. We argue that without a change in employer behavior, neither using one of the bridge options nor the earlier employment exit would have been utility maximizing for the individuals affected by the reform." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku, © Elsevier) ((en))

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Lucifora, Claudio & Martina Repetto (2022): Big five personality traits and retirement decisions. In: Labour, Jg. 36, H. 1, S. 1-28. DOI:10.1111/labr.12210

Abstract

"We estimate the effect of the Big Five personality traits on the retirement decisions of individuals aged between 50 and 80 years in fourteen European countries, using wave 7 from the SHARE data. We investigate the probability of retirement and a measure of the distance between actual retirement and ordinary retirement age. Overall, we find that personality affects retirement decisions, and the effects are similar across gender. Openness to experience, conscientiousness and extraversion are generally associated with a delay in retirement decisions, whereas neuroticism anticipates the exit from the labour market." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku, Published by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons) ((en))

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Sohier, Lieze, Bart Defloor, Luc Van Ootegem & Elsy Verhofstadt (2022): Determinants of the Willingness to Retire of Older Workers in Europe. In: Social work & society, Jg. 164, H. 3, S. 1017-1041. DOI:10.1007/s11205-022-02991-w

Abstract

"Many European countries are facing the challenge of increasing the effective retirement age. Increasing the effective retirement age also requires that older employees are voluntarily willing to continue working. A worker who is willing to retire but is not allowed to retire might experience a negative impact on his or her well-being. This articles studies the determinants of the willingness to retire: the job, health, and financial situation of the older worker, and other socio-demographic characteristics. To do this, the micro data of the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe are used, which contains a binary question about willingness to retire. Based on the random effects logit estimator, we find that the job situation of the worker and the retirement of the partner are important drivers of the willingness to retire. Specifically, those willing to retire are more frequently employed in jobs that are mentally and physically demanding. They also feel less appreciated by the management or their colleagues and report to have fewer opportunities to get promotion. The willingness to retire is higher if the older worker has a retired partner. In the countries with the lowest rates of willingness to retire, the workers have better working conditions and are more easily able to make ends meet." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Toczek, Lisa, Hans Bosma & Richard Peter (2022): Early retirement intentions: the impact of employment biographies, work stress and health among a baby-boomer generation. In: European Journal of Ageing, Jg. 19, H. 4, S. 1479-1491. DOI:10.1007/s10433-022-00731-0

Abstract

"In recent years, early retirement decisions have become more frequent in the European Union despite political efforts to prevent early retirement. This is a growing problem for the social security system. The study focuses on a life course approach using employment biographies and investigates the influence of work stress and health on early retirement intentions. Data of employees who were born in either 1959 or 1965 of the German cohort study on work, age, health and work participation are analysed (n = 3338). By linking survey and register data from 1993 to 2011, a sequence analysis is conducted to identify employment biographies. To analyse the relationship between the employment biographies and intended early retirement, a longitudinal path analysis is computed and includes work stress, measured through effort-reward imbalance, and self-rated health. The statistical analyses identify three adverse employment biographies, i.e. part-time work, episodes of unemployment or marginal employment. In addition, two favourable employment biographies are determined, characterised by full-time work and few episodes of unemployment. The results of the path analysis show that employment biographies with high work-related stress have early retirement intentions. Among adverse employment biographies, indirect effects of poor health on the association between work stress and early retirement intentions are found. Unexpectedly, among full-time workers, work stress is also associated with early retirement intentions with an additional mediation through health. The findings of this study highlight the importance of the life course perspective when analysing retirement decisions. In addition to health-promoting interventions in the labour market, effects of psychosocial factors should be focussed on in order to reduce early exits from the labour market." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Werding, Martin (2022): Is a Pension Reform Needed in Germany? In: CESifo forum, Jg. 23, H. 2, S. 58-62.

Abstract

"Germany is being hit relatively hard by demographic aging. The latest round of major pension reforms dates back to the period from 2001 to 2007. The last government tried to prepare a new reform, but failed to reach a consensus. The new coalition government is not pursuing these plans any further. This article describes the changes in existing rules that the coalition is nevertheless considering and discusses actual reform needs." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Wikström, Ewa, Karin Allard, Rebecka Arman, Roy Liff, Daniel Seldén & Roland Kadefors (2022): Organisational Capability for Delayed Retirement. In: H. F. Erhag, U. L. Nilsson, T. R. Sterner & I. Skoog (Hrsg.) (2022): ¬A¬ Multidisciplinary Approach to Capability in Age and Ageing, S. 221-232. DOI:10.1007/978-3-030-78063-0_16

Abstract

"Throughout the industrialised world, societies are ageing. These demographic changes have created a political and societal focus on an extended working life. Unfortunately, there is a lack of systematic knowledge about how such changes can be successfully implemented within organisations. In this chapter, we discuss this lacuna and specifically focus on organisational capability. We highlight workplace conditions and practices that may inhibit or promote the retention of workers beyond the previous norm for retirement. The novelty of an organisational capability approach is that it highlights workplace conditions that enable older people to use their abilities to perform acts of value and to achieve a better quality of life and greater participation in society. Workplace resources, capabilities and functions form a dynamic pattern. Factors that influence the work abilities of older workers are related in complex interactions and not merely in the format of simple cause and effect. When looking at retirement from the perspective of older workers, we have focused on aspects such as the individual’s ability to control the retirement process. Central to Sen’s idea is that individuals have different conversion factors, which means that, even though two individuals may have access to the same resources, they do not necessarily have the capability to enjoy the same functions. For example, the probability that an older person will remain employed will partially depend on his or her health, human capital and type of job. But two seemingly similar individuals can nevertheless have very different chances of remaining employed because their employer has implemented very different age management policies, or simply because they have different attitudes towards older workers. Since organisational capability makes it possible to focus on the interaction between the individual’s resources and preferences and the opportunity structure existing at the workplace (meso level) and embodied in the retirement system (macro level), much of the discussion and many of the policies and practices concerning older people can be related to the concept of capabilities." (Author's abstract, © Springer) ((en))

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Zwick, Thomas, Mona Bruns, Johannes Geyer & Svenja Lorenz (2022): Early retirement of employees in demanding jobs: Evidence from a German pension reform. In: The Journal of the Economics of Ageing, Jg. 22. DOI:10.1016/j.jeoa.2022.100387

Abstract

"Early retirement options are usually targeted at employees at risk of not reaching their regular retirement age in employment. An important at-risk group comprises older employees who have worked in demanding jobs for many years. This group may be particularly negatively affected by the abolition of early retirement options. To measure differences in labor market reactions of employees in low- and high-demand jobs, we exploit the quasinatural experiment of a cohort-specific pension reform that increased the early retirement age for women from 60 to 63 years. Based on a large administrative dataset, we use a regression-discontinuity approach to estimate the labor market reactions. Surprisingly, we find the same relative employment increase of about 25% for treated women who were exposed to low and to high job demand. For older women in demanding jobs, we also do not find substitution effects into unemployment, partial retirement, disability pension, or inactivity. Eligibility for the abolished early retirement option required high labor market attachment. Thus, we argue that this eligibility rule induced a positive selection of healthy workers into early retirement. We propose alternative policies that protect workers exposed to high job demand better against the negative consequences of being unable to reach their statutory retirement age in employment." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku, © Elsevier) ((en))

Abstract

"This mini toolkit presents information on concepts, tools, and practices which can support stakeholders in using European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) resources to assist in the integration of people furthest from the labour market, including long-term unemployed and inactive people, including older jobseekers. It will also demonstrate the advantages of effective partnership working including from the encouragement of consortia to develop bids." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Akgüç, Mehtap, Marta Kahancová, Jakub Kostolný & Leonie Westhoff (2021): Shaping return to work policy: Current involvement and future potential of EU social dialogue. Negotiating Return to Work in the Age of Demographic Change through Industrial Relations (REWIR) Project No. VS/2019/0075 : Deliverable 2.1. (REWIR working paper), Bratislava, 35 S.

Abstract

"This working paper examines the European Union policy framework on return to work after chronic disease and the potential for EU industrial relations actors to contribute to shaping policy in this area. It is part of the "Negotiating return to work in the age of demographic change through industrial relations (REWIR)" project." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Barschkett, Mara, Johannes Geyer, Peter Haan & Anna Hammerschmid (2021): The Effects of an Increase in the Retirement Age on Health. Evidence from Administrative Data. (DIW-Diskussionspapiere 1985), Berlin, 61 S.

Abstract

"This study analyzes the causal effect of an increase in the retirement age on health. We exploit a sizable cohort-specific pension reform for women using two complementary empirical approaches – a Regression Discontinuity Design and a Difference-in-Differences approach. The analysis is based on official records covering all individuals insured by the public health system in Germany and including all certified diagnoses by practitioners. This enables us to gain a detailed understanding of the multi-dimensionality in these health effects. The empirical findings reflect the multidimensionality but allow for deriving two broader conclusions. We provide evidence that the increase in the retirement age negatively affects health outcomes as the prevalence of several diagnoses, e.g., mental health, musculoskeletal diseases, and obesity, increases. In contrast, we do not find support for an improvement in health related to a prolonged working life since there is no significant evidence for a reduction in the prevalence of any health outcome we consider. These findings hold for both identification strategies, are robust to sensitivity checks, and do not change when correcting for multiple hypothesis testing." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Börsch-Supan, Axel, Felizia Hanemann, Brian Beach, Didier Halimi, Susana Harding, Marieke van der Waal, Daisuke Watanabe & Ursula M. Staudinger (2021): Older adults' integration in the labour market: a global view. In: Ageing & Society, Jg. 41, H. 4, S. 917-935. DOI:10.1017/S0144686X19001454

Abstract

"What governs labour force participation in later life and why is it so different across countries? Health and labour force participation in older ages are not strongly linked, but we observe a large variation across countries in old-age labour force participation. This points to the important role of country-specific regulations governing pension receipt and old-age labour force participation. In addition to the statutory eligibility age for a pension, such country-specific regulations include: earnings tests that limit the amount of earnings when pension benefits are received; the amount of benefit deductions for early retirement; the availability of part-time pensions before normal retirement; special regulations that permit early retirement for certain population groups; and either subsidies or extra costs for employers if they keep older employees in their labour force. This paper asks two questions: Can we link a relatively low labour force participation at ages 60–64 to country-specific regulations that make early retirement attractive? and Can we link a relatively high labour force participation at ages 65–74 to country-specific regulations that make late retirement attractive? To answer these questions, we compared the experiences in a set of developed countries around the world in order to understand better the impact of country-specific rules and laws on work and retirement behaviour at older ages and, by consequence, on the financial sustainability of pension systems." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Eckrote-Nordland, Marissa Dae, Matthew M. Piszczek, Christopher Ruhm, Mary Hamman, Peter Berg & Daniela Hochfellner (2021): Three Essays in Labor Economics. Michigan, 86 S. DOI:10.25335/ks2e-de95

Abstract

"This dissertation is comprised of three chapters analyzing how establishments react to increases in pensionable age. Chapter 1: Understanding the Impact of Postponed Retirements on the Hiring Decisions of Firms The solvency of public pension systems in countries with pay-as-you-go pension schemes have led many of these countries to adopt changes in the age of eligibility for full-benefits. One such country is Germany who implemented a change in their pensionable age in a major reform enacted in 1992. There have been multiple studies that have looked at the effectiveness of this reform in terms of older workers delaying their retirements. However, less is known about how firms have reacted to these changes and if these changes in policy have caused firms to change their hiring behavior. Using administrative linked employer-employee data I exploit pre-policy variation in worker age distributions to serve as a source of identification for studying how employers reacted in-terms-of hiring behavior. I find that firms that had a higher share of older workers, and thus were impacted more by the change in pensionable age, decreased their hiring. For a one percentage-point increase in the share of workers who are predicted to have retired under the old pension system the share of workers that are new hires decreases by 0.324 percentage points. This is a 2.16% decrease at the mean. When smaller age bins are studied, I find that this negative impact is found for those aged under 25 and those age 25-34. In contrast there is a positive impact on individuals age 45-54, 55-64, and over 65. When looking at contract types there is an over 7% decrease in the hires of trainees and an over 10% increase in the hires of workers on partial retirement contracts. Chapter 2: Effect of Postponed Retirements on Wage Growth of Younger Workers (with Peter Berg, Mary Hamman, Daniela Hochfellner, Matthew M. Piszczek and Christopher Ruhm) This paper uses linked-employer-employee data to examine the effects of postponed retirements on the wage progression of younger workers within establishments. A German pension reform is the source of identification. We find no evidence of slower wage growth. Instead we find faster wage growth, especially among workers aged 41 to 57. We cannot rule out separations as a mechanism, but patterns in estimates by age and tenure are not consistent with layoffs. Instead, we find evidence of less frequent promotions and we interpret the wage findings as consistent with compensating wage differentials for postponed promotions Chapter 3: Pension Reforms and their Implications for Establishment Downsizing (with Peter Berg, Mary Hamman, Daniela Hochfellner, Matthew M. Piszczek and Christopher Ruhm) While the empirical literature on the effects of pension reform on workers is broad, less is known about the impact on employers. Yet reforms that create incentives to postpone retirement may have extensive effects on employer labor demand and labor costs, especially in settings where there are strict legal protections against age discrimination in employment. Although public pension system reforms generally are structured to treat all workers within the same birth cohort similarly, the impact on employers may vary substantially due to differences in the age composition of their employees. Using this variation as a source of identification, we examine whether the differential impact of pension reform leads to differences in the incidence of workforce downsizing, a sign of possible financial distress. To ensure estimates are not biased due to attrition, we also model associations between the impact of pension reform and establishment closures and find no association. Results for downsizing consistently show establishments with a higher share of older workers are more likely to experience downsizing. When we segment workers within establishments by age, the absolute changes in downsizing probabilities are highest for younger workers. Preliminary results indicate works councils may increase the risk of downsizing for older workers and protect employment for young and prime workers." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Font, Paulino, Mario Izquierdo & Sergio Puente (2021): The Effect of Subsidies to Mature-Age Employment: a Quasi-Experimental Analysis. In: Journal of labor research, Jg. 42, H. 2, S. 123-147. DOI:10.1007/s12122-021-09318-7

Abstract

"This paper evaluates the effect of subsidies to employment maintenance on the probability of mature-age workers staying in the firm. Implementing a quasi-experimental design provided by changes in Spanish labor market regulations, we are able to estimate that the end of subsidies had a small though statistically significant and negative impact on workers' firm attachment rate. Our results show that a 1 pp. increase in the worker's cost translates into a 0.11 pp. increase in the cumulative probability of the worker separating from the firm in the next five months. This effect is mainly driven by workers with relatively less seniority in the firm, who present lower dismissal costs; and by workers in low-skill jobs, for which the wage productivity gap seems to negatively evolve with age. In terms of a cost-benefit analysis, we document that the previous higher rate of job maintenance was achieved at a disproportionate cost, and therefore the elimination of the subsidy resulted in in Social Security savings larger than foregone wages." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku, © Springer-Verlag) ((en))

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Geyer, Johannes, Svenja Lorenz, Thomas Zwick & Mona Bruns (2021): Early Retirement of Employees in Demanding Jobs: Evidence from a German Pension Reform. (DIW-Diskussionspapiere 1978), Berlin, 46 S.

Abstract

"Early retirement options are usually targeted at employees at risk of not reaching their regular retirement age in employment. An important at-risk group comprises employees who have worked in demanding jobs for many years. This group may be particularly negatively affected by the abolition of early retirement options. To measure differences in labor market reactions of employees in low- and high-demand jobs, we exploit the quasi-natural experiment of a cohort-specific pension reform that increased the early retirement age for women from 60 to 63 years. Based on a large administrative dataset, we use a regression-discontinuity approach to estimate the labor market reactions. Surprisingly, we find the same relative employment increase of about 25% for treated women who were exposed to low and to high job demand. For older women in demanding jobs, we do not find substitution effects into unemployment, partial retirement, disability pension, or inactivity. Eligibility for the pension for women required high labor market attachment; thus, we argue that this eligibility rule induced the positive selection of healthy workers into early retirement. We propose alternative policies that protect workers exposed to high job demand better against the negative consequences of being unable to reach their statutory retirement age in employment." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Giesecke, Matthias & Philipp Jäger (2021): Pension Incentives and Labor Supply: Evidence from the Introduction of Universal Old-Age Assistance in the UK. (IZA discussion paper 14469), Bonn, 67 S.

Abstract

"We study the labor supply implications of the Old-Age Pension Act (OPA) of 1908, which, for the first time, provided pensions to older people in the UK. Using recently released census data covering the entire population, we exploit variation at the newly created age-based eligibility threshold. Our results show a considerable and abrupt decline in labor force participation of 6.0 percentage points (13%) when older workers reach the eligibility age of 70. To mitigate the impact of population aging today, pension reforms aimed at increasing elderly labor supply, however, have to induce much larger behavioral responses than the OPA." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Gornick, Janet & Eva Sierminska (2021): Wealth Accumulation and Retirement Preparedness in Cross-National Perspective: A Gendered Analysis of Outcomes among Single Adults. (IZA policy paper 181), Bonn, 30 S.

Abstract

"Wealth is an increasingly important dimension of economic well-being and is attracting rising attention in discussions of social inequality. In this paper, we compare – within and across countries – wealth outcomes, and link those to both employment-related factors and policy solutions that have the potential to improve wealth creation and retirement security for women. By constructing country-specific portraits of wealth outcomes and "retirement preparedness," we reveal extensive cross-national variation in multiple facets of wealth. Our regression analysis finds a statistically significant and positive effect of work experience on wealth, with that effect, in general, increasing over time. The effect of work experience for single women is greater than for single men, suggesting that, among men, other, stronger forces are at work in creating wealth. The retirement preparedness outcomes indicate that single women in all three countries are in a precarious position at retirement, with much lower expected annual wealth levels than single men. The second preparedness indicator, which links expected annual wealth to income, demonstrates that men have the potential to cover 1larger shares of their income at retirement – and thus are more able, than their female counterparts, to maintain standards of living achieved earlier in life. Our policy discussion indicates that employment remains a viable option for ultimately bolstering women's wealth accumulation. Many scholars, gender equality advocates, and policymakers have argued for raising women's employment rates – for a multitude of reasons – but few, if any, have made the case for strengthening women's employment in order to ultimately bolster women's wealth building. We hope to help reduce the gap in the literature on policy supports for women's employment and re-open the discussion on how women can create more wealth." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Hinrichs, Karl (2021): Recent pension reforms in Europe: More challenges, new directions. An overview. In: Social Policy and Administration, Jg. 55, H. 3, S. 409-422. DOI:10.1111/spol.12712

Abstract

"During the last 30 years, all European Union member states have reformed their pension systems. In view of ongoing and intensifying population aging, efforts have aimed at containing the future rise of the contribution rate, improving the system dependency ratio, lowering the benefit ratio and/or infusing tax money or other financial resources into the system. Moreover, since about the early 2000s, we can observe a move towards a multi-pillar pension system in countries hitherto running a dominant-pillar system: private pre-funded occupational pensions and individual provision for old age are given larger roles within the public-private mix of retirement income. An analysis of reforms shows a finite menu of adjustment options, and concrete measures have to be adapted to nation-specific institutional contexts. Finally, we can conclude that pension reforms focusing on long-term financial sustainability may increase the risk of old-age poverty and, thus, violate a central objective of pension schemes." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku, Published by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons) ((en))

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Johnsen, Julian Vedeler & Alexander Willén (2021): The effect of negative income shocks on pensioners. (Working papers / Institute for Evaluation of Labour Market and Education Policy 2021,07), Bonn, 36 S.

Abstract

"This paper provides novel evidence on the labor supply response to negative income shocks in retirement, exploiting an institutional feature that caused differential and unexpected income losses among otherwise identical individuals in a sharp regression discontinuity design. We conclude that retired pensioners do not return to work despite income losses of up to seven percent of their annual income. The paper further shows that the negative income shock had no impact on the health of pensioners. At the height of an ongoing global crisis in which public pension funds are rapidly losing value, these results may be particularly important." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))