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Optimal linear redistributive tax and pension systems with flexible labor supply

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  • Andras Simonovits

    (Institute of Economics, Research Center for Economic and Regional Studies,)

Abstract

The tax system redistributes labor incomes among workers, the pension system redistributes incomes from workers to pensioners. We consider a linear transfer system, where workers pay pension contributions and personal income taxes and pensioners receive proportional benefits, while workers and pensioners enjoy basic income. Every worker maximizes his discounted lifetime utility function, depending on young- and old-age consumption plus leisure. The government chooses a transfer system which maximizes the undiscounted social welfare function. Our major result is as follows: The optimal transfer system balances the efficiency of proportional pensions and the guarantee of the basic income.

Suggested Citation

  • Andras Simonovits, 2012. "Optimal linear redistributive tax and pension systems with flexible labor supply," CERS-IE WORKING PAPERS 1233, Institute of Economics, Centre for Economic and Regional Studies.
    • Handle: RePEc:has:discpr:1233
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Feldstein, Martin S, 1987. "Should Social Security Benefits Be Means Tested?," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 95(3), pages 468-484, June.
    2. Andras Simonovits, 2012. "Means-tested or Flat Pension? Pension Credit," CERS-IE WORKING PAPERS 1221, Institute of Economics, Centre for Economic and Regional Studies.
    3. Andersen, Torben M., 2012. "Fiscal sustainability and demographics – Should we save or work more?," Journal of Macroeconomics, Elsevier, vol. 34(2), pages 264-280.
    4. Richard Disney, 2004. "Are contributions to public pension programmes a tax on employment? [‘Welfare state and competitiveness’]," Economic Policy, CEPR, CESifo, Sciences Po;CES;MSH, vol. 19(39), pages 268-311.
    5. James Sefton & Justin vandeVen & Martin Weale, 2008. "Means Testing Retirement Benefits: fostering equity or discouraging savings?," Economic Journal, Royal Economic Society, vol. 118(528), pages 556-590, April.
    6. Varian, Hal R., 1980. "Redistributive taxation as social insurance," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 14(1), pages 49-68, August.
    7. Andras Simonovits, 2009. "Underreported earnings and age-specific income redistribution in post-socialist economies," CERS-IE WORKING PAPERS 0927, Institute of Economics, Centre for Economic and Regional Studies.
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    Cited by:

    1. Andras Simonovits, 2013. "A family of simple paternalistic transfer models," CERS-IE WORKING PAPERS 1324, Institute of Economics, Centre for Economic and Regional Studies.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    personal income tax; pension system; optimal redistribution;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • H24 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - Personal Income and Other Nonbusiness Taxes and Subsidies
    • I31 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - General Welfare, Well-Being
    • J22 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Time Allocation and Labor Supply
    • J26 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Retirement; Retirement Policies

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