期刊名称:Discussion Papers of the Department of Economics, University of St.Gallen = Diskussionspapiere der Volkswirtschaftlichen Abteilung der Universität St.Gallen
出版年度:2005
卷号:2005
出版社:Universität St. Gallen
摘要:We use a unique dataset on individual retirement decisions in Swiss pension funds to analyze the choice between an annuity and a lump sum at retirement. Our analysis suggests the existence of an "acquiescence bias", meaning that a majority of retirees chooses the standard option offered by the pensions fund or suggested by common practice. Small levels of accumulated pension capital are much more likely to be withdrawn as a lump sum, suggesting a potential moral hazard behavior or a magnitude effect. We hardly find evidence for adverse selection effects in the data. Single men, for example, whose money's worth of an annuity is considerably below the corresponding value of married men, are not more likely to choose the capital option.