Optimal Pensions in Aging Economies

Burkhard Heer

No 5192, CESifo Working Paper Series from CESifo

Abstract: Ýmrohoroðlu, Ýmrohoroðlu and Joines [1995, A life-cycle analysis of Social Security, Economic Theory, vol. 6, 83-114] show that the optimal replacement ratio of the payas-you-go public pension system in the US economy amounts to 30%. We extend their analysis to a model that 1) replicates the empirical wage heterogeneity, 2) endogenizes the individual’s labor supply decision and 3) accounts for contributions-defined pensions of the US social security system. With these more realistic modifications, the optimal replacement ratio is found to amount to approximately 5% and to be insensitive with regard to the aging of the US population; however, lower productivity growth would result in higher optimal pension payments. In addition, the optimal pension scheme is found to be more progressive than the present US pension system.

Keywords: optimal social security; progressive pensions; income and wealth distribution; demographic transition (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C68 D31 D91 H55 J11 J26 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2015
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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Journal Article: Optimal pensions in aging economies (2018)
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