Behavioral Economics Perspectives on Public Sector Pension Plans
| Title: | Behavioral Economics Perspectives on Public Sector Pension Plans |
| Author: |
Beshears, John; Choi, James J.; Laibson, David I.; Madrian, Brigitte
Note: Order does not necessarily reflect citation order of authors. |
| Citation: | Beshears, John, James J. Choi, David Laibson, and Brigitte C. Madrian. 2011. Behavioral Economics Perspectives on Public Sector Pension Plans. HKS Faculty Research Working Paper Series RWP11-013, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University |
| Full Text & Related Files: |
RWP11-013_Madrian_alia.pdf (1.206Mb; PDF) 
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| Abstract: | We describe the pension plan features of the states and the largest cities and counties in the U.S. Unlike in the private sector, defined benefit (DB) pensions are still the norm in the public sector. However, a few jurisdictions have shifted towards defined contribution (DC) plans as their primary savings plan, and fiscal pressures are likely to generate more movement in this direction. Holding fixed a public employee‘s work and salary history, we show that DB retirement income replacement ratios vary greatly across jurisdictions. This creates large variation in workers‘ need to save for retirement in other accounts. There is also substantial heterogeneity across jurisdictions in the savings generated in primary DC plans because of differences in the level of mandatory employer and employee contributions. One notable difference between public and private sector DC plans is that public sector primary DC plans are characterized by required employee or employer contributions (or both), whereas private sector plans largely feature voluntary employee contributions that are supplemented by an employer match. We conclude by applying lessons from savings behavior in private sector savings plans to the design of public sector plans. |
| Published Version: | http://web.hks.harvard.edu/publications/workingpapers/citation.aspx?PubId=7630 |
| Terms of Use: | This article is made available under the terms and conditions applicable to Other Posted Material, as set forth at http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.InstRepos:dash.current.terms-of-use#LAA |
| Citable link to this page: | http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.InstRepos:4723207 |
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