Bringing Them In or Pushing Them Out? The Labor Market Effects of Pro-cyclical Unemployment Assistance Changes

Gerard Domènech-Arumí () and Silvia Vannutelli

No 30301, NBER Working Papers from National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc

Abstract: We exploit an unanticipated labor market reform to estimate the effects of pro-cyclical changes in long-term unemployment assistance (UA). In July 2012, Spain raised the minimum age to receive unlimited-duration UA from 52 to 55. Using a difference-in-differences design, we document that shorter benefits caused (i) shorter non-employment duration, especially among younger workers; (ii) higher labor force exit and other programs' take-up, especially among older workers; (iii) lower wages upon re-employment. The reform induced moderate government savings. Our results highlight the importance of considering the interplay with labor market conditions when designing long-term benefit schedules that affect workers close to retirement.

JEL-codes: J31 J64 J65 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022-07
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-age, nep-eur and nep-lma
Note: AG LS PE
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Working Paper: Bringing Them In or Pushing Them Out? The Labor Market Effects of Pro-cyclical Unemployment Assistance Changes (2023)
Working Paper: Bringing Them In or Pushing Them Out? The Labor Market Effects of Pro-cyclical Unemployment Assistance Changes (2022)
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