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Progressive Tax Changes to Superannuation in a Lifecycle Framework

Author

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  • Kudrna,George
  • Alan D. Woodland

Abstract

This paper provides a quantitative analysis of hypothetical replacements of existing tax arrangements applied to superannuation (Australia.s term for private pensions) with traditional EET and TEE regimes. These taxation regimes exempt pension fund earnings from any taxation and tax either benefits or contributions progressively as regular incomes. By contrast, superannuation taxation features concessional flat tax rates on contributions and fund earnings, with benefits being generally tax free. Using an overlapping-generations model calibrated for Australia, we find that these hypothetical superannuation tax reforms have positive implications for vertical equity, as indicated by larger relative welfare gains and income improvements experienced by lower income households. The simulation results also show positive long run effects of the reforms on domestic assets as well as reduced pension expenditures.

Suggested Citation

  • Kudrna,George & Alan D. Woodland, 2015. "Progressive Tax Changes to Superannuation in a Lifecycle Framework," CESifo Working Paper Series 5645, CESifo.
    • Handle: RePEc:ces:ceswps:_5645
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Kingston, Geoffrey & Piggott, John, 1993. "A Ricardian Equivalence Theorem on the taxation of pension funds," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 42(4), pages 399-403.
    2. Kulish Mariano & Kent Christopher & Smith Kathryn, 2010. "Aging, Retirement, and Savings: A General Equilibrium Analysis," The B.E. Journal of Macroeconomics, De Gruyter, vol. 10(1), pages 1-32, July.
    3. George Kudrna & Alan D. Woodland, 2013. "Macroeconomic and Welfare Effects of the 2010 Changes to Mandatory Superannuation," The Economic Record, The Economic Society of Australia, vol. 89(287), pages 445-468, December.
    4. Suzanne Doyle & Geoffrey Kingston & John Piggott, 1999. "Taxing Super," Australian Economic Review, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research, vol. 32(3), pages 207-218, September.
    5. George Kudrna & Alan D. Woodland, 2011. "Implications of the 2009 Age Pension Reform in Australia: A Dynamic General Equilibrium Analysis," The Economic Record, The Economic Society of Australia, vol. 87(277), pages 183-201, June.
    6. David Altig, 2001. "Simulating Fundamental Tax Reform in the United States," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 91(3), pages 574-595, June.
    7. Tran, Chung & Woodland, Alan, 2014. "Trade-offs in means tested pension design," Journal of Economic Dynamics and Control, Elsevier, vol. 47(C), pages 72-93.
    8. Creedy, John & Guest, Ross, 2008. "Changes in the taxation of private pensions: Macroeconomic and welfare effects," Journal of Policy Modeling, Elsevier, vol. 30(5), pages 693-712.
    9. Hans Fehr & Christian Habermann & Fabian Kindermann, 2008. "Tax-Favored Retirement Accounts: Are they Efficient in Increasing Savings and Growth?," FinanzArchiv: Public Finance Analysis, Mohr Siebeck, Tübingen, vol. 64(2), pages 171-198, June.
    10. repec:bla:scandj:v:102:y:2000:i:3:p:419-43 is not listed on IDEAS
    11. Cho, Sang-Wook (Stanley) & Sane, Renuka, 2013. "Means-Tested Age Pensions And Homeownership: Is There A Link?," Macroeconomic Dynamics, Cambridge University Press, vol. 17(6), pages 1281-1310, September.
    12. Kwang-Yeol Yoo & Alain de Serres, 2004. "Tax Treatment of Private Pension Savings in OECD Countries and the Net Tax Cost Per Unit of Contribution to Tax-Favoured Schemes," OECD Economics Department Working Papers 406, OECD Publishing.
    13. Margaret E. Atkinson & John Creedy & David M. Knox, 1999. "Some implications of changing the tax basis for pension funds," Fiscal Studies, Institute for Fiscal Studies, vol. 20(2), pages 189-203, June.
    14. Hans Fehr, 2000. "Pension Reform during the Demographic Transition," Scandinavian Journal of Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 102(3), pages 419-443, September.
    15. Sinclair Davidson & Ross Guest, 2007. "Superannuation Tax Reform: Fiscal Consequences," Agenda - A Journal of Policy Analysis and Reform, Australian National University, College of Business and Economics, School of Economics, vol. 14(1), pages 5-16.
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. George Kudrna, 2016. "Australia’s Retirement Income Policy: Means Testing and Taxation of Pensions," ifo DICE Report, ifo Institute - Leibniz Institute for Economic Research at the University of Munich, vol. 14(01), pages 03-09, May.
    2. repec:ces:ifodic:v:14:y:2016:i:1:p:19217532 is not listed on IDEAS
    3. George Kudrna, 2016. "Australia’s Retirement Income Policy: Means Testing and Taxation of Pensions," ifo DICE Report, ifo Institute - Leibniz Institute for Economic Research at the University of Munich, vol. 14(1), pages 03-09, 05.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    compulsory saving; pension and tax reforms; dynamic OLG model;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • H55 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies - - - Social Security and Public Pensions
    • E21 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Consumption, Saving, Production, Employment, and Investment - - - Consumption; Saving; Wealth
    • C68 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Mathematical Methods; Programming Models; Mathematical and Simulation Modeling - - - Computable General Equilibrium Models

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