The Political Feasibility of Increasing Retirement Age: Lessons from a Ballot on Female Retirement Age

Monika Bütler ()

Cahiers de Recherches Economiques du Département d'économie from Université de Lausanne, Faculté des HEC, Département d’économie

Abstract: In 1998, the Swiss voters approved of an increase in female retirement age from 62 to 64. The referendum, being on a single issue only, offers a unique opportunity to explore the political feasibility of pension reforms and to apply theoretical models of life-cycle decision making. Estimates carried out with municipality data suggest that the outcome of the vote conforms relatively well with predictions drawn from a theoretical simulation study. There are, however, surprising gender differences even in married couples. Young agents, married middle-aged and all elderly men favor an increase in female retirement age, while middle-aged and elderly women strongly oppose it. Richer communities and those with a high proportion of self-employed or a low fraction of blue-collar workers are more likely to opt for a higher retirement age. Ideological preferences and regional differences also play a considerable role.

Keywords: social security reforms; (female) retirement age; life-cycle decision making (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: D72 D91 H55 J18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 35 pages
Date: 2000-11
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
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Published in International Tax and Public Finance, vol. 9, 2002, pp. 349-365

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Related works:
Journal Article: The Political Feasibility of Increasing the Retirement Age: Lessons from a Ballot on the Female Retirement Age (2002)
Working Paper: The Political Feasibility of Increasing Retirement Age: Lessons from a Ballot on Female Retirement Age (2001)
Working Paper: The Political Feasibility of Increasing Retirement Age: Lessons from a Ballot on Female Retirement Age (2000)
Working Paper: The Political Feasibility of Increasing Retirement Age: Lessons from a Ballot on Female Retirement Age (2000)
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