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The Labor Supply Effect of Social Security Earnings Test Revisited: New Evidence from its Elimination and Revival in Japan

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  • Shimizutani, Satoshi
  • 清水谷, 諭
  • シミズタニ, サトシ
  • Oshio,Takashi
  • 小塩, 隆士
  • オシオ, タカシ

Abstract

Evidence on the effect of the social security earnings test on the labor supply of the elderly continues to be mixed. We utilize micro-level data compiled by the Japanese government in order to examine the labor supply effect for those aged 65-69 before and after two major reforms of the social security earnings test in Japan: its elimination in 1985 and its revival in 2002. We provide little evidence that the changes in the earnings test affected the wage distribution of the elderly after controlling for changes in the attributes of workers and firms.At the same time, the direct survey responses to the effect of the revival in 2002 reveals a large effect on the labor supply of the elderly. These empirical findings indicate the risk that a traditional bunch analysis underestimates the labor supply effect when it is obscured by measurement errors or labor market rigidities.

Suggested Citation

  • Shimizutani, Satoshi & 清水谷, 諭 & シミズタニ, サトシ & Oshio,Takashi & 小塩, 隆士 & オシオ, タカシ, 2008. "The Labor Supply Effect of Social Security Earnings Test Revisited: New Evidence from its Elimination and Revival in Japan," PIE/CIS Discussion Paper 410, Center for Intergenerational Studies, Institute of Economic Research, Hitotsubashi University.
    • Handle: RePEc:hit:piecis:410
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. DiNardo, John & Fortin, Nicole M & Lemieux, Thomas, 1996. "Labor Market Institutions and the Distribution of Wages, 1973-1992: A Semiparametric Approach," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 64(5), pages 1001-1044, September.
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    Cited by:

    1. Shimizutani, Satoshi & 清水谷, 諭 & Fujii, Mayu & 藤井, 麻由 & Oshio, Takashi & 小塩, 隆士, 2012. "Option Value of Work, Health Status, and Retirement Decisions: New Evidence from the Japanese Study on Aging and Retirement (JSTAR)," CIS Discussion paper series 566, Center for Intergenerational Studies, Institute of Economic Research, Hitotsubashi University.
    2. Satoshi Shimizutani, 2013. "Social Security Earnings Test and the Labour Supply of the Elderly: New Evidence from Unique Survey Responses in Japan," The Japanese Economic Review, Japanese Economic Association, vol. 64(3), pages 399-413, September.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    social security earnings test; labor supply of the elderly; Japan; wage distribution; DiNardo-Fortin-Lemieux decomposition;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • H55 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies - - - Social Security and Public Pensions
    • J26 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Retirement; Retirement Policies

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