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Tax reform and retirement saving incentives: evidence from the introduction of stakeholder pensions in the UK

Author

Listed:
  • Richard Disney

    (Institute for Fiscal Studies and University of Sussex)

  • Carl Emmerson

    (Institute for Fiscal Studies and Institute for Fiscal Studies)

  • Matthew Wakefield

    (Institute for Fiscal Studies and University of Bologna)

Abstract

Faced with ageing populations, OECD governments are seeking policies to increase individual retirement saving. In April 2001, the UK government introduced Stakeholder Pensions - a low cost retirement saving vehicle. The reform also changed the structure of tax-relieved contribution ceilings, increasing their generosity for lower earning individuals. We examine the impact of these changes on private pension coverage and on contributions to personal pension accounts using individual level micro data.

Suggested Citation

  • Richard Disney & Carl Emmerson & Matthew Wakefield, 2007. "Tax reform and retirement saving incentives: evidence from the introduction of stakeholder pensions in the UK," IFS Working Papers W07/19, Institute for Fiscal Studies.
    • Handle: RePEc:ifs:ifsewp:07/19
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    File URL: http://www.ifs.org.uk/wps/wp1907.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. James M. Poterba, 1994. "Public Policies and Household Saving," NBER Books, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc, number pote94-2.
    2. R Disney & C Emmerson & M Wakefield, 2001. "Pension reform and saving in Britain," Oxford Review of Economic Policy, Oxford University Press and Oxford Review of Economic Policy Limited, vol. 17(1), pages 70-94, Spring.
    3. B. Douglas Bernheim & John Karl Scholz, 1993. "Private Saving and Public Policy," NBER Chapters, in: Tax Policy and the Economy, Volume 7, pages 73-110, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    4. Richard Disney & Carl Emmerson & Matthew Wakefield, 2008. "Pension Provision and Retirement Saving: Lessons from the United Kingdom," Canadian Public Policy, University of Toronto Press, vol. 34(s1), pages 155-176, November.
    5. Poterba, James M. (ed.), 1994. "Public Policies and Household Saving," National Bureau of Economic Research Books, University of Chicago Press, edition 1, number 9780226676180.
    6. John Karl Scholz & Ananth Seshadri & Surachai Khitatrakun, 2006. "Are Americans Saving "Optimally" for Retirement?," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 114(4), pages 607-643, August.
    7. Orazio P. Attanasio & Susann Rohwedder, 2003. "Pension Wealth and Household Saving: Evidence from Pension Reforms in the United Kingdom," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 93(5), pages 1499-1521, December.
    8. Ai, Chunrong & Norton, Edward C., 2003. "Interaction terms in logit and probit models," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 80(1), pages 123-129, July.
    9. Orazio Attanasio & James Banks & Matthew Wakefield, 2004. "Effectiveness of tax incentives to boost (retirement) saving: theoretical motivation and empirical evidence," IFS Working Papers W04/33, Institute for Fiscal Studies.
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    Cited by:

    1. Richard Disney & Carl Emmerson & Matthew Wakefield, 2008. "Pension Provision and Retirement Saving: Lessons from the United Kingdom," Canadian Public Policy, University of Toronto Press, vol. 34(s1), pages 155-176, November.
    2. Immacolata Marino & Filippo Pericoli & Luigi Ventura, 2011. "Tax Incentives and Household Investment in Complementary Pension Insurance: Some Recent Evidence From the Italian Experience," Risk Management and Insurance Review, American Risk and Insurance Association, vol. 14(2), pages 247-263, September.
    3. Harju, Jarkko, 2009. "Voluntary pension savings: the effects of the Finnish tax reform on savers' behaviour," Working Papers 7, VATT Institute for Economic Research.
    4. Richard Disney & Carl Emmerson & Matthew Wakefield, 2010. "Tax Reform and Retirement Saving Incentives: Take‐up of Stakeholder Pensions in the UK," Economica, London School of Economics and Political Science, vol. 77(306), pages 213-233, April.
    5. Callan, Tim & van de Ven, Justin & Keane, Claire & O'Connell, Philip J., 2012. "A Framework for Pension Policy Analysis in Ireland: PENMOD, a Dynamic Simulation Model," Book Chapters, in: Callan, Tim (ed.),Analysing Pensions: Modelling and Policy Issues, pages 43-101, Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI).
    6. Harju, Jarkko, 2009. "Voluntary pension savings: the effects of the Finnish tax reform on savers' behaviour," Working Papers 7, VATT Institute for Economic Research.
    7. Dr Justin van de Ven & Dr Martin Weale, 2009. "A Structural Dynamic Micro-Simulation Model for Policy Analysis: Application to Pension Reform, Income Tax Changes and Rising Life Expectancy," National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIESR) Discussion Papers 336, National Institute of Economic and Social Research.

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