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Hick, Rod & Alba Lanau (2019): Tax credits and in-work poverty in the UK. An analysis of income packages and anti-poverty performance. In: Social policy and society, Jg. 18, H. 2, S. 219-236. DOI:10.1017/S1474746418000118

Abstract

"This article examines the relationship between tax credits and in-work poverty, drawing on the findings from a major national study on in-work poverty. We present an analysis of (i) the income packages of working families and (ii) the performance of tax credits in relation to anti-poverty objectives, drawing on data from the Households Below Average Income survey between 2004/5 and 2014/15. Our study generates five novel findings, including that tax credits reduce the poverty gap of recipient households by two-thirds; that tax credit cuts post-2010/11 have served to focus payments on single parent families and households with greater numbers of children; and that tax credits make up just one third of the social security income of working households. We argue that understanding in greater depth the interaction between tax credits and income adequacy amongst working families is necessary to provide a firmer foundation for an effective assault on in-work poverty." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Phelan, Brian J. (2019): Hedonic-based labor supply substitution and the ripple effect of minimum wages. In: Journal of labor economics, Jg. 37, H. 3, S. 905-947. DOI:10.1086/702651

Abstract

"This paper analyzes a new explanation of the 'ripple effect' of minimum wages based on how minimum wages affect hedonic compensation. Minimum wage hikes lower compensating differentials at low-skill undesirable jobs because they raise wages at the most desirable low-skill job, the minimum wage job. This change in hedonic compensation may cause some individuals to optimally leave low-wage undesirable jobs and seek more desirable employment. If labor supply falls at low-wage undesirable jobs, employers would raise wages, consistent with the ripple effect. Empirically, I provide evidence that hedonic-based labor supply substitution is taking place and contributing to the ripple effect." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Schulten, Thorsten & Toralf Pusch (2019): Mindestlohn von 12 Euro: Auswirkungen und Perspektiven. In: Wirtschaftsdienst, Jg. 99, H. 5, S. 335-339. DOI:10.1007/s10273-019-2453-5

Abstract

"Vielfach wird in der öffentlichen Diskussion ein zumindest annähernd existenzsichernder Mindestlohn von 12 Euro gefordert. 2017 haben etwa 11 Mio. Beschäftigte zu einem Stundenlohn von weniger als 12 Euro gearbeitet. Das betrifft insbesondere geringfügig Beschäftigte, aber auch Teilzeitkräfte. Dieser Beitrag analysiert das Verhältnis von Mindestlohn und Tarifvertragssystem sowie die Auswirkungen einer stärkeren Mindestlohnanpassung." (Autorenreferat, © Springer-Verlag)

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Bach, Stefan, Hermann Buslei, Björn Fischer & Michelle Harnisch (2018): Aufkommens- und Verteilungswirkungen eines Entlastungsbetrags für Sozialversicherungsbeiträge bei der Einkommensteuer (SV-Entlastungsbetrag). (DIW Berlin. Politikberatung kompakt 128), Berlin, III, 33 S.

Abstract

"In diesem Forschungsprojekt werden die Aufkommens- und Verteilungswirkungen eines Entlastungsbetrags für Sozialversicherungsbeiträge bei der Einkommensteuer (SV-Entlastungsbetrag) analysiert. Dieser Steuerabzug entlastet niedrige Arbeitseinkommen, indem die Arbeitnehmerbeiträge zu den Sozialversicherungen sowie gleichwertige Vorsorgeaufwendungen bis zu einem Höchstbetrag von der Einkommensteuerschuld abgezogen werden, zum Beispiel bis 50 Euro, 100 Euro oder 150 Euro im Monat. Der SV-Entlastungsbetrag wird als Negativsteuer ausgezahlt, wenn er die Einkommensteuerschuld übersteigt. Der SV-Entlastungsbetrag wird gekürzt um die steuerliche Entlastungswirkung, die durch den Abzug der Sozialversicherungsbeiträge als Vorsorgeaufwendungen entsteht. Dadurch wird er bei steigenden Einkommen abgeschmolzen und nur bis zu mittleren Arbeitseinkommen gewährt, sofern keine Verluste aus anderen Einkünften oder höhere Abzüge das zu versteuernde Einkommen mindern." (Textauszug, IAB-Doku)

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Benölken, Heinz & Nils Bröhl (2018): Altersvorsorge am Scheideweg. Erfolgreiche Strategien gegen Altersarmut. Wiesbaden: Springer, 304 S. DOI:10.1007/978-3-658-21837-9

Abstract

"Dieses Buch bietet der Finanzdienstleistungsbranche eine umfassende Gesamtschau der deutschen Altersvorsorgesysteme. Vor dem Hintergrund der Niedrigzinsphase und der demografischen Entwicklung unterziehen Dr. Heinz Benölken und Nils Bröhl sie einer kritischen Detailbewertung im Hinblick auf ihre Leistungsfähigkeit. Die Autoren analysieren dazu ausführlich relevante Altersvorsorgeszenarien und die Eignung und Vorsorgequalität der in Deutschland üblichen drei Schichten der Altersvorsorge: die Basisversorgung, insbesondere durch die gesetzliche Rentenversicherung, die kapitalgedeckte Zusatzversorgung (Riester-Rente und betriebliche Altersvorsorge) sowie Kapitalanlageprodukte. Auf dieser Basis stellen sie als innovativen Vorschlag ein von ihnen entwickeltes neues Modell unter der Bezeichnung 'AV 2030 plus' vor. Eine Betrachtung zur Integration von Alters-, Risiko- und Gesundheitsvorsorge rundet dieses Buch ab." (Autorenreferat, © Springer-Verlag)

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Cho, Yoonyoung & Ummul Ruthbah (2018): Does workfare work well? The case of the employment generation program for the poorest in Bangladesh. (IZA discussion paper 11473), Bonn, 38 S.

Abstract

"Evidence on the effectiveness of workfare as an anti-poverty program in developing countries is weak compared with the relatively well-established role of public works during economic crisis as a social safety net. This paper contributes to evidence building by examining the impact of a large-scale workfare program in Bangladesh, the Employment Generation Program for the Poorest. Taking advantage of the program's distinguishable feature of direct wage transfer to a person's bank account, the paper uses accessibility to local banks as an instrumental variable to identify the program's impacts on rural social assistance beneficiaries. Based on locality-by-time fixed effects models over two rounds of locality panel data, the analysis finds that the Employment Generation Program for the Poorest has contributed to increasing overall household consumption and reducing outstanding loans. In particular, expenditures on quality food and health care have significantly increased, which likely helps individuals continue to engage in income-generating activities in the labor market. However, the implementation costs and poor quality of public assets built through work projects could potentially undermine the program's efficiency. Moreover, further evidence is required on the impacts of work experience through workfare on subsequent labor market outcomes and the value of public assets, to assess the program's effectiveness compared with administratively simpler alternative instruments such as unconditional cash transfers." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Fedorets, Alexandra, Alexey Filatov & Cortnie Shupe (2018): Great expectations: reservation wages and the minimum wage reform. (SOEPpapers on multidisciplinary panel data research at DIW Berlin 968), Berlin, 12 S.

Abstract

"We use the German Socio-Economic Panel to show that introducing a high-impact statutory minimum wage causes an increase in reservation wages of approximately 4 percent at the low end of the distribution. The shifts in reservation wages and observed wages due to the minimum wage reform are comparable in their magnitude. Additional results show that German citizens adjust their reservation wages more than immigrants. Moreover, suggestive evidence points to a compensation mechanism in which immigrants trade wage growth against job security." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Gerlitz, Jean-Yves (2018): Rising in-work poverty in times of activation. Changes in the distributive performance of institutions over three decades, Germany 1984-2013. In: Social indicators research, Jg. 140, H. 3, S. 1109-1129. DOI:10.1007/s11205-017-1816-9

Abstract

"In-work poverty contradicts the belief that a job should provide a decent standard of living. Nevertheless, the share of working poor in most European countries has risen. Studies show that the development of in-work poverty is attributable to changes in the distributive performance of the labour market, households and the welfare state, as measured by their ability to prevent people from falling below the poverty line. However, such studies have been limited to standard employment and did not address activation, i.e., welfare state transformation through deregulation, recommodification, and social investment. Taking the case of Germany, I analyse changes in the distributive performance of institutions within the context of activation policies (Hartz reforms) for employees that differ in work duration and intensity. Based on descriptive trend analysis of data from the German Socio-Economic Panel, I retrace the process of income distribution and look at how institutional changes have contributed to the development of in-work poverty. I find that an increase of in-work poverty can be attributed to a decrease of the distributive performance of the labour market after the implementation of the Hartz reforms; that individuals in non-standard employment were more affected than people in standard-employment, and that increases in the performance of households and the welfare state do not absorb this development. Activation has shifted responsibility from the labour market to the other distributive institutions." (Author's abstract, © Springer-Verlag) ((en))

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Kalina, Thorsten & Claudia Weinkopf (2018): Niedriglohnbeschäftigung 2016. Beachtliche Lohnzuwächse im unteren Lohnsegment, aber weiterhin hoher Anteil von Beschäftigten mit Niedriglöhnen. (IAQ-Report 2018-06), Duisburg, 18 S. DOI:10.17185/duepublico/47959

Abstract

"- Die Einführung des gesetzlichen Mindestlohns in Deutschland hat in den Jahren 2015 und 2016 zu deutlichen Steigerungen der durchschnittlichen Stundenlöhne am unteren Rand des Lohnspektrums geführt.
- Der durchschnittliche Stundenlohn im Niedriglohnsektor erreichte im Jahr 2016 knapp 77% der Niedriglohnschwelle und damit immerhin fast vier Prozentpunkte mehr als 2014 (73%).
- Trotz dieser Lohnerhöhungen stagniert der Anteil der Niedriglohnbeschäftigten auf einem im Vergleich der EU-Länder besonders hohen Niveau: 22,7% aller abhängig Beschäftigten in Deutschland arbeiteten im Jahr 2016 für einen Niedriglohn.
- Die Niedriglohnschwelle (berechnet auf Basis der tatsächlich geleisteten Arbeitszeit) hat sich in den letzten drei Jahren von 9,60 EURO pro Stunde im Jahr 2013 auf 10,44 EURO im Jahr 2016 erhöht.
- Die internationale Forschung legt nahe, dass zur Begrenzung des Anteils von Niedriglöhnen nicht nur ein gesetzlicher Mindestlohn, sondern vor allem auch eine hohe Tarifbindung wichtig ist." (Autorenreferat, IAB-Doku)

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Leung, Pauline & Alexandre Mas (2018): Employment effects of the affordable care act medicaid expansions. In: Industrial relations, Jg. 57, H. 2, S. 206-234. DOI:10.1111/irel.12207

Abstract

"We examine whether the recent expansions in Medicaid from the Affordable Care Act reduced 'employment lock' among childless adults who were previously ineligible for public coverage. We compare employment in states that chose to expand Medicaid versus those that chose not to expand, before and after implementation. We find that although the expansion increased Medicaid coverage by 3.0 percentage points among childless adults, there was no significant impact on employment." (Author's abstract, Published by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons) ((en))

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Marchal, Sarah & Ive Marx (2018): Stemming the tide. What have European Union countries done to support low-wage workers in an era of downward wage pressures? In: Journal of European social policy, Jg. 28, H. 1, S. 18-33. DOI:10.1177/0958928717704747

Abstract

"Governments across the European Union (EU) have been striving to get more people into work while at the same time acknowledging that more needs to be done to 'make work pay'. Yet this drive comes at a time when structural economic shifts are putting pressure on wages, especially of less skilled workers. This article focuses on trends in minimum wages, income taxes and work-related benefits within a selection of 15 EU countries, for the period 2001 - 2012, with three US states included as reference cases. We find evidence for eroding relative minimum wages in various EU countries, yet combined with catch-up growth in the new member states. We also find that governments counteracted eroding minimum wages through direct income support measures, especially for lone parents. Most prevalent among these were substantial declines in income tax liabilities." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Meyer, Bruce D. & Derek Wu (2018): The poverty reduction of social security and means-tested transfers. In: ILR review, Jg. 71, H. 5, S. 1106-1153. DOI:10.1177/0019793918790220

Abstract

"This article is the fourth in a series to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the ILR Review. The series features articles that analyze the state of research and future directions for important themes this journal has featured over many years of publication.
Starting with Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP) data from 2008 to 2013, the authors link administrative data from Social Security and five large means-tested transfers - Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), public assistance (PA), the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), and housing assistance - to minimize errors within the SIPP data. Social Security cuts the poverty rate by a third - more than twice the combined effect of the five means-tested transfers. Among means-tested transfers, the EITC and SNAP have the largest effects. All programs except for the EITC sharply reduce deep poverty. The relative importance of these programs differs by family subgroup. SSI, PA, and housing assistance have the highest share of benefits going to the pre-transfer poor, whereas the EITC has the lowest. Finally, the SIPP survey data alone provide fairly accurate estimates for the overall population at the poverty line, though they understate the effects of Social Security, SNAP, and PA. Differences in effects are striking, however, at other income cutoffs and for specific family types." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Müller, Kai-Uwe, Michael Neumann & Katharina Wrohlich (2018): Labor supply under participation and hours constraints. An extended structural model for policy evaluations. (IZA discussion paper 12003), Bonn, 50 S.

Abstract

"The paper extends a static discrete-choice labor supply model by adding participation and hours constraints. We identify restrictions by survey information on the eligibility and search activities of individuals as well as actual and desired hours. This provides for a more robust identification of preferences and constraints. Both, preferences and restrictions are allowed to vary by and are related through observed and unobserved characteristics. We distinguish various restrictions mechanisms: labor demand rationing, working hours norms varying across occupations, and insufficient public childcare on the supply side of the market. The effect of these mechanisms is simulated by relaxing different constraints at a time. We apply the empirical frame- work to evaluate an in-work benefit for low-paid parents in the German institutional context. The benefit is supposed to increase work incentives for secondary earners. Based on the structural model we are able to disentangle behavioral reactions into the pure incentive effect and the limiting impact of constraints at the intensive and extensive margin. We find that the in-work benefit for parents substantially increases working hours of mothers of young children, especially when they have a low education. Simulating the effects of restrictions shows their substantial impact on employment of mothers with young children." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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(2018): Niedriglöhne in der Bundesrepublik Deutschland. Antwort der Bundesregierung auf die Kleine Anfrage der Abgeordneten und der Fraktion DIE LINKE (Drucksache 19/5340). (Verhandlungen des Deutschen Bundestages. Drucksachen 19/6067 (28.11.2018)), 291 S.

Abstract

Die Bundesregierung antwortet auf die Anfrage der Fraktion DIE LINKE zu Niedriglöhnen in der Bundesrepublik Deutschland. (IAB)

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Ayala, Luis & Milagros Paniagua (2017): The impact of in-work benefits on female labor supply and income distribution in Spain. (EUROMOD working paper 2017,17), Colchester: EUROMOD at the Institute for Social and Economic Research, 36 S.

Abstract

"In-work benefits (IWBs) have become very common transfer programs that seek to meet both efficiency and equity targets. An expanding literature has assessed the effects of these policies on income distribution and labor supply showing important implications for female labor participation. In this paper, we estimate the distributional and behavioral impacts of a simulated IWB in Spain based on the replacement of the existing working mother tax credit (WMTC) using as a reference the US Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). We simulate the effects of the proposed scheme using EUROMOD and a discrete choice model of labor supply. Our results show that the enhancement of the proposed IWB would have significant and positive effects both in terms of female labor participation and inequality and poverty reduction. The introduction of this IWB would generate a substantial increase in labor participation at the extensive margin and a non-negligible reduction at the intensive margin." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Bach, Stefan & Michelle Harnisch (2017): Steuer- und Abgabenreformen für die neue Legislatur. Untere und mittlere Einkommen gezielt entlasten. (DIW-Diskussionspapiere 1706), Berlin, 19 S.

Abstract

"Haushalte mit unteren und mittleren Einkommen profitieren kaum von Senkungen des Einkommensteuertarifs oder vom Abbau des Solidaritätszuschlags. Zugleich führen schon moderate Entlastungen im Eingangsbereich des Steuertarifs oder beim 'Mittelstandsbauch' zu beträchtlichen Steuerausfällen und entlasten auch hohe Einkommen, soweit die Spitzensteuersätze nicht angehoben werden. Wenn die Steuerpolitik untere und mittlere Einkommen bei den Steuer- und Abgabenbelastungen wirksam entlasten will, muss sie die indirekten Steuern oder die Sozialbeiträge senken. Bei der Mehrwertsteuer könnte der ermäßigte Steuersatz auf Nahrungsmittel und öffentlichen Nahverkehr auf 5 Prozent reduziert werden. Ferner könnten Haushalte mit unteren und mittleren Einkommen bei den Sozialbeiträgen entlastet werden, entweder direkt durch einen Freibetrag oder indirekt durch einen teilweisen Abzug von der Einkommensteuer." (Autorenreferat, IAB-Doku)

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Dauth, Christine (2017): Regional discontinuities and the effectiveness of further training subsidies for low-skilled employees. (IAB-Discussion Paper 07/2017), Nürnberg, 43 S.

Abstract

"In diesem Beitrag untersuche ich die Wirkung von Weiterbildungssubventionen auf die Arbeitsmarktchancen von gering Qualifizierten zwischen 2007 und 2012. Mit Hilfe detaillierter Prozessdaten bestimme ich Unterschiede in den konditionalen Politikstilen zwischen den lokalen Arbeitsagenturen und nutze diese unscharfe Diskontinuität als Instrument um kausale Effekte zu identifizieren. Für 'complier', d.h. Personen, die die Subventionen nur aufgrund eines bestimmten Politikstils einer Arbeitsagentur erhalten, erhöhen sich aggregierte Beschäftigung und Einkommen. Besonders stark profitieren dabei Frauen, unter 35jährige, Personen ohne deutsche Staatsbürgerschaft und Teilnehmer in den Jahren vor der Wirtschaftskrise von 2009." (Autorenreferat, IAB-Doku)

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Haywood, Luke & Michael Neumann (2017): The role of aggregate preferences for labor supply. Evidence from low-paid employment. (DIW-Diskussionspapiere 1652), Berlin, 56 S.

Abstract

"Labor supply in the market for low-paid jobs in Germany is strongly influenced by tax exemptions - even for individuals to whom these exemptions do not apply. We present compelling evidence that an individual's choice set depends on other workers' preferences because firms cater their job offers to aggregate preferences in the market. We estimate an equilibrium job search model which rationalizes the strong earnings bunching at the tax exemption threshold using German administrative data. We then simulate modifications to the tax schedule that remove the discontinuity and thus the bunching at the threshold. Results highlight the indirect costs of (discontinuous) tax policies which are shown to be reinforced by firm responses: Workers who would work anyway are hurt by subsidies benefiting groups who enter the market as a result of tax incentives." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Jessen, Robin, Davud Rostam-Afschar & Viktor Steiner (2017): Getting the poor to work: three welfare increasing reforms for a busy Germany. In: Finanzarchiv, Jg. 73, H. 1, S. 1-41. DOI:10.1628/001522117X14864674910065

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Marchal, Sarah, Ive Marx & Gerlinde Verbist (2017): Income support policies for the working poor. (IZA discussion paper 10665), Bonn, 16 S.

Abstract

"This paper asks what governments in the EU Member States and some US states are doing to support workers on low wages. Using model family simulations, we assess the policy measures currently in place to guarantee an adequate disposable income to working families, taking into account minimum wages, social security contributions, taxes and cash benefits. We show that despite increased efforts over the past decade, disposable incomes of certain types of minimum wage workers still fall well below the EU at-risk-of-poverty thresholds in many countries. Single earners with dependent children are especially at risk of poverty. We discuss the options for making progress." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))