What Makes Annuitization More Appealing?

John Leonard Beshears, James Choi, David Laibson, Brigitte Madrian and Stephen Zeldes

Scholarly Articles from Harvard University Department of Economics

Abstract: We conduct and analyze two large surveys of hypothetical annuitization choices. We find that allowing individuals to annuitize a fraction of their wealth increases annuitization relative to a situation where annuitization is an “all or nothing†decision. Very few respondents choose declining real payout streams over flat or increasing real payout streams of equivalent expected present value. Highlighting the effects of inflation increases demand for cost of living adjustments. Frames that highlight flexibility, control, and investment significantly reduce annuitization. A majority of respondents prefer to receive an extra “bonus†payment during one month of the year that is funded by slightly lower payments in the remaining months. Concerns about later-life income, spending flexibility, and counterparty risk are the most important self-reported motives that influence the annuitization decision.

Date: 2014
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (51)

Published in Journal of Public Economics

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Related works:
Journal Article: What makes annuitization more appealing? (2014)
Chapter: What Makes Annuitization More Appealing? (2012)
Working Paper: What Makes Annuitization More Appealing? (2012)
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