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The Occurrence and Impact of Pension Fund Discontinuity

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  • Alserda, G.A.G.
  • Steenbeek, O.W.
  • van der Lecq, S.G.

Abstract

Collective pension arrangements tend to yield higher risk-adjusted pension benefits than individual plans due to intergenerational risk sharing and the lack of annuity conversion risk. These benefits pose the implicit assumption that the pension fund has an infinite horizon, while we observe that many pension funds discontinue. Using case studies of six discontinued pension funds, in combination with a simulation model, this paper analyses the occurrence and impact of pension fund discontinuity. Although discontinuity tends to increase the volatility of pension benefits, median benefits in most institutional settings increase after discontinuing the fund. We find that both the occurrence and impact of discontinuity depends strongly on the institutional setting of the pension fund. Stricter regulations, such as more conservative discount rates, increase the financial stability of the pension fund; however, they may reduce membership support through lower replacement rates. This poses a trade-off in the design of the pension system.

Suggested Citation

  • Alserda, G.A.G. & Steenbeek, O.W. & van der Lecq, S.G., 2017. "The Occurrence and Impact of Pension Fund Discontinuity," ERIM Report Series Research in Management ERS-2017-008-F&A, Erasmus Research Institute of Management (ERIM), ERIM is the joint research institute of the Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University and the Erasmus School of Economics (ESE) at Erasmus University Rotterdam.
    • Handle: RePEc:ems:eureri:99472
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Keywords

    pension fund discontinuity;

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