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Do Pension Benefits Accelerate Cognitive Decline? Evidence from Rural China

Author

Listed:
  • Plamen Nikolov

    (State University of New York)

  • Md Shahadath Hossain

    (State University of New York at Binghamton)

Abstract

Economists have mainly focused on human capital accumulation, rather than on the causes and consequences of human capital depreciation in late adulthood. To investigate how human capital depreciates over the life cycle, we examine how a newly introduced pension program, the National Rural Pension Scheme, affects cognitive performance in rural China. We find significant adverse effects of access to pension benefits on cognitive functioning among the elderly. We detect the most substantial impact of the program on delayed recall, a cognition measure linked to the onset of dementia. In terms of mechanisms, we find that cognitive deterioration in late adulthood is mediated by a substantial reduction in social engagement, volunteering, and activities fostering mental acuity.

Suggested Citation

  • Plamen Nikolov & Md Shahadath Hossain, 2023. "Do Pension Benefits Accelerate Cognitive Decline? Evidence from Rural China," Working Papers 2023-008, Human Capital and Economic Opportunity Working Group.
    • Handle: RePEc:hka:wpaper:2023-008
    Note: ECI
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    File URL: http://humcap.uchicago.edu/RePEc/hka/wpaper/Nikolov_Hossain_2023_pension-benefits-accel-cog-decline.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. James Heckman, 2011. "Policies to foster human capital," Voprosy obrazovaniya / Educational Studies Moscow, National Research University Higher School of Economics, issue 3, pages 73-137.
    2. Mazzonna, Fabrizio & Peracchi, Franco, 2012. "Ageing, cognitive abilities and retirement," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 56(4), pages 691-710.
    3. George M Korniotis & Alok Kumar, 2011. "Do Older Investors Make Better Investment Decisions?," The Review of Economics and Statistics, MIT Press, vol. 93(1), pages 244-265, February.
    4. Eibich, Peter, 2015. "Understanding the effect of retirement on health: Mechanisms and heterogeneity," Journal of Health Economics, Elsevier, vol. 43(C), pages 1-12.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    Cited by:

    1. Li, Jingrong & Mi, Xinyu & Zhang, Chenlei & Qin, Yanran, 2024. "Social pension insurance and household risky asset investment: Evidence from China," The Quarterly Review of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 95(C), pages 219-233.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    life cycle; human capital; cognitive functioning; cognition; middle-income countries; LMICs; developing countries;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • H55 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies - - - Social Security and Public Pensions
    • O15 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Economic Development: Human Resources; Human Development; Income Distribution; Migration

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