Income Inequality over the Later-Life Course: A Comparative Analysis of Seven OECD Countries

Robert L. Brown and Steven G. Prus

Social and Economic Dimensions of an Aging Population Research Papers from McMaster University

Abstract: This paper examines income inequality over stages of the later-life course (age 45 and older) and systems that can be used to mitigate this inequality. Two hypotheses are tested: (i) Levels of income inequality decline during old age because public benefits are more equally distributed than work income; (ii) Because of the progressive nature of government benefits, countries with stronger public income security programs are better able to reduce income inequalities during old age. The analysis is performed by comparing age groups within seven OECD countries (Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States) using Luxembourg Income Study data. Both hypotheses are supported. Several conclusions are drawn from the findings.

Keywords: retirement; income dynamics; comparative analysis; public pensions (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: H55 J26 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 22 pages
Date: 2006-06
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-pbe
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (10)

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