scholarly journals The transition to NDC in Italy: assessing distributive and financial effects

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-16
Author(s):  
Carlo Mazzaferro
Keyword(s):  
Net Present Value ◽  
Pension System ◽  
Pension Scheme ◽  
Defined Benefit ◽  
Defined Contribution ◽  
Ratio Distribution ◽  
Actuarial Fairness ◽  
Notional Defined Contribution ◽  
High Level ◽  
Pension Benefits

Abstract Moving from a Defined Benefit (DB) to a Notional Defined Contribution (NDC) pension formula creates significant re-distributive effects. We estimate the amount and the intensity of these effects in the case of the Italian transition to NDC, which began in 1995. Based on administrative data of the main Italian pension scheme (FPLD), we study the evolution of yearly inequality within old-age pension benefits. Furthermore, we study the adequacy and the actuarial fairness of the pension system, by estimating the replacement rates and the Net Present Value Ratio distribution for workers who retired in the period 1996–2019. Our results show that the very generous interpretation of acquired rights determined by the 1995 reform has contributed to maintaining a high level of adequacy and a significant level of intergenerational imbalance. The financial costs of this imbalance are estimated and its extent is significant.

scholarly journals Closing the gender gap in pensions: A microsimulation analysis of the Norwegian NDC pension system

2018 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 130-143 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elin Halvorsen ◽  
Axel West Pedersen
Keyword(s):  
Gender Gap ◽  
Economies Of Scale ◽  
Pension System ◽  
Personal Income ◽  
Defined Contribution ◽  
Pension Income ◽  
System A ◽  
Actuarial Fairness ◽  
Annual Earnings ◽  
Pension Benefits

In this article, we use an advanced microsimulation model to study the distributional effects of the reformed Norwegian pension system with a particular focus on gender equality. The reformed Norwegian system is based on the notional defined contribution (NDC)-formula with fixed contribution/accrual rates over the active life-phase and with accumulated pension wealth being transformed into an annuity upon retirement. A number of redistributive components are built into the system: a unisex annuity divisor, a ceiling on annual earnings, generous child credits, a possibility for widows/widowers to inherit pension rights from a deceased spouse, a targeted guarantee pensions with higher benefit rates to single pensioners compared to married/cohabitating pensioners, and finally a tax system that is particularly progressive in its treatment of pensioners and pension income. Taking complete actuarial fairness as the point of departure, we conduct a stepwise analysis to investigate how these different components of the National Insurance pension system impact on the gender gap in pensions and on general (Gini) inequality in the distribution of pension income within a cohort of pensioners. Our analysis concentrates on one birth cohort – individuals born in 1963 – and we study three different outcomes: the distribution of annual pensions early in retirement (at age 70), the distribution of the total sum of pension benefits received over retirement, and the distribution of the average annual pension benefits received over the retirement phase. In addition, we look at three alternative income concepts. These are personal income, equivalised household income, and finally an original income concept developed for this study: personal income adjusted for the economies of scale enjoyed by couple households.

The Notional Defined Contribution Pension Scheme and the German ‘Point System’: A Comparison

2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 365-382 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vera Gurtovaya ◽  
Sergio Nisticò
Keyword(s):  
Pension System ◽  
Pension Scheme ◽  
Point System ◽  
Defined Contribution ◽  
Rates Of Return ◽  
System A ◽  
Analytical Properties ◽  
Notional Defined Contribution

AbstractThis paper examines the analytical properties of the German ‘points-based’ pension system. These properties are compared with those of a canonical Notional Defined Contribution (NDC) pension scheme. The paper identifies the circumstances under which the German ‘points-based’ system would mimic a Swedish-type NDC scheme and verifies to what extent the German ‘points-based’ scheme ensures uniformity of individual rates of return for some hypothetical careers. Finally, the paper proposes a set of new possible adjustment rules able to increase similarity between the German point system and the NDC scheme.

scholarly journals The impact of notional defined contribution system (NDC) from the point of view of individual

2014 ◽  
pp. 96-105
Author(s):  
Milda Švedienė ◽  
Astrida Slavickienė
Keyword(s):  
Interest Rate ◽  
Pension System ◽  
Labour Force ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Pension Benefit ◽  
Pension Scheme ◽  
Retirement Age ◽  
Defined Contribution ◽  
Notional Defined Contribution ◽  
The Impact

Retirement benefit plans are the relevant theme in the world and in Lithuania as well. The demographic challenges such as ageing and shrinking labour force cause the problem which usual PAYG system is not able to solve. Whereas this problem is very important in Lithuania simulation of notional defined contribution system is suggested. The influence of new pension system to individuals is analysed in this paper.  The analysis of theoretical works showed that NDC system is defined contribution (DC) system financed as in pay-as-you-go (PAYG) system. This pension scheme is different from others because of it accounting mechanism: contributions of individuals are accumulated on their individual accounts but whereas real capital is not accumulated the balance is notional. All accumulated sum is converted to pension benefit when individuals are at retirement age depending on cohort’s life expectancy. It is said that NDC pension system helps to solve problems such as sensitivity to changes in economic growth, decreasing volume of savings or create a better link between contributions and benefits.  Nevertheless it is recognized that benefit return in NDC pension system is less than in usual defined contribution system. The results of simulation have showed that notional defined contribution system in Lithuania would not be the way out from problems in pension system. The system would be balanced in 30-year period and indexation would be acceptable for individuals but from 2040 interest rate would be reduced by the relevant part of the balance ratio. Depending on the changes in interest rate from 2040 notional capital would be less than all sum of contribution paid and it would negatively impact individuals’ finances. It was found that the more years individuals spend in labour market the bigger capital they accumulate and the bigger benefit get when they are at retirement age. Nevertheless it was noticed that replacement rate would be approximately 25 percent and it would not be adequate for the required use of retirees.

Pension reform in france as a balance between adequacy and stability

2021 ◽  
Vol 72 (5) ◽  
pp. 95-102
Author(s):  
N. Zelenko ◽  
V. Zelenko
Keyword(s):  
Life Expectancy ◽  
Financial Stability ◽  
Pension System ◽  
Pension Scheme ◽  
Occupational Pension ◽  
Defined Benefit ◽  
Member States ◽  
Eu Member States ◽  
The Government ◽  
Pension Benefits

In this paper the authors analyze the main aspects and problems of reforming the French pension system. Most EU member states have been forced to review their system due to the coronavirus crisis, at least to make temporary adjustments. Given European aging population, declining birth rates and increased life expectancy, the associated increase in the age dependency ratio is creating tensions for underfunded defined benefit pension systems. This implicit pension debt has important macroeconomic implications. In France, the structure of the pension system provides for the existence of solidarity component, occupational pension schemes, as well as personal (which are not popular in this country). Sometimes there are significant differences in pension benefits between public and private sector workers with the same earnings, although this difference is much lower than in many other EU member states. Starting from July 1, 2017, no new pension reforms have been implemented in France, as the project proposed by the government and President Macron has received significant opposition from both trade unions and a large part of the population, as the creation of the so-called “Universal pension scheme” provides significant reduction in the rights of future retirees. In general, the choice of restrictive rules that reflect trends in wages, employment and life expectancy is critical for the proper updated system management. Preservation of the French pension system in the near future provides the increase in retirement age or extension of insurance to receive full pension benefits. The results of scientific research indicate the need to apply the adjusted strategy for further reforms, compared to their original versions. The reform proposed by the government and the president is aimed mostly at achieving long-term financial stability of the pension system. As for the adequacy of pension benefits, for some categories of citizens it can be decreased. Therefore, the reform envisages new configurations between the financial stability of the pension system along with ensuring the adequacy of the pension benefits amount.

Social security, income inequality and growth

2011 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 53-70 ◽  
Author(s):  
GILLES LE GARREC
Keyword(s):  
Economic Growth ◽  
Income Inequality ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Pension System ◽  
Industrial Countries ◽  
Lifetime Income ◽  
Actuarial Fairness ◽  
Retirement Systems ◽  
Pension Benefits ◽  
Shed Light

AbstractIn most industrial countries, public pension systems redistribute from workers to retired people, not from high-income to low-income earners. They are close actuarial fairness. However, they are not all equivalent. In particular, some pension benefits are linked to full lifetime average earnings, while others are only linked to partial earnings history. In the latter case, we then show in this article that an actuarially fair pay-as-you-go pension system can both reduce lifetime income inequality and enhance economic growth. We also shed light on the dilemma between inequality and economic growth in retirement systems: greater progressivity results in less lifetime inequlity but also less growth.

scholarly journals Retirement Ages by Socio-Economic Class

Risks ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 102
Author(s):  
Séverine Arnold ◽  
Anca Jijiie
Keyword(s):  
Risk Aversion ◽  
Time Preference ◽  
Retirement Age ◽  
Defined Benefit ◽  
Defined Contribution ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Economic Class ◽  
Notional Defined Contribution

We are interested in defining the optimal retirement age by socio-economic class, given a Defined Benefit and a Notional Defined Contribution scheme. We firstly implement a utilitarian framework. Depending on the risk aversion coefficients and individual time preference factors, the results differ significantly. Since this approach is individualistic, with no consensus in the existing literature on what values these parameters should take, it is not suitable to be used by policy makers. Therefore, we provide an alternative based on two accounts. We look for the retirement age allowing the accumulated value, at the last age with survivors, of the pensions received under each system, held in one account, to be close in value to the accumulated amount should the actuarially fair pension be paid, representing the second account. Our approach results in setting a lower retirement age for lower socio-economic classes and a higher retirement age for wealthier individuals.

scholarly journals Contribution volatility and public pension reform

2017 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 513-533 ◽  
Author(s):  
TRAVIS ST. CLAIR ◽  
JUAN PABLO MARTINEZ GUZMAN
Keyword(s):  
Local Governments ◽  
Pension System ◽  
Pension Reform ◽  
Pension Plans ◽  
Fiscal Sustainability ◽  
Economic Downturn ◽  
Defined Benefit ◽  
Defined Contribution ◽  
Unfunded Liabilities

AbstractIn the wake of the economic downturn of 2008–2009, researchers and policymakers have focused considerable attention on the extent of unfunded liabilities in US public sector pension plans and the implications for the long term fiscal sustainability of state and local governments. In response to the growth in liabilities, many states have introduced legislation that cuts back on defined benefit (DB) plan commitments, in some cases even shifting the pension system from a DB to a defined contribution or hybrid plan. This paper explores the factors that have led states to engage in pension reform, focusing particular attention on one factor that has only recently gained attention in the research literature: contribution volatility. While unfunded liabilities have significant long-term solvency implications, in the short term fluctuations in the amount of required contributions pose substantial difficulties for the ability of plan sponsors to balance budgets and engage in strategic planning. We begin by quantifying the volatility in the required contributions US states were expected to make between 2001 and 2013 and comparing the volatility of pension spending to other relevant tax and spending measures. Next, we describe the various types of pension reforms that states have implemented and examine the fiscal pressures facing those states that have engaged in reform. States with greater fluctuations in their required payments have been more likely to reduce benefits and increase employee contributions; they have also been more likely to institute these reforms sooner.

GUARANTEE VALUATION IN NOTIONAL DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PENSION SYSTEMS

2016 ◽  
Vol 46 (3) ◽  
pp. 677-707 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer Alonso-García ◽  
Pierre Devolder
Keyword(s):  
Interest Rates ◽  
Closed Form Solution ◽  
Form Solution ◽  
Pension Scheme ◽  
Dependence Structure ◽  
Defined Contribution ◽  
Index Set ◽  
Notional Defined Contribution ◽  
Utility Indifference ◽  
Pension Adequacy

AbstractThe notional defined contribution pension scheme combines pay-as-you-go financing and a defined contribution pension formula. The return on contributions is based on an index set by law, such as the growth rate of GDP, average wages or contribution payments. The volatility of this return compromises the system's pension adequacy and therefore guarantees may be needed. Here, we provide a minimum return guarantee to the pension contributions. The price is calculated in a utility indifference framework. We obtain a closed-form solution for a general dependence structure with exponential preferences and in presence of stochastic short interest rates.

Minimum funding ratios for defined-benefit pension funds

2010 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 417-434 ◽  
Author(s):  
ARJEN SIEGMANN
Keyword(s):  
Risk Aversion ◽  
Expected Utility ◽  
Pension Fund ◽  
Equity Premium ◽  
Pension Scheme ◽  
Defined Benefit ◽  
Intergenerational Solidarity ◽  
Defined Contribution ◽  
Power Utility ◽  
Time Diversification

AbstractWe compute minimum nominal funding ratios for defined-benefit (DB) plans based on the expected utility that can be achieved in a defined-contribution (DC) pension scheme. Using Monte Carlo simulation, expected utility is computed for three different specifications of utility: power utility, mean-shortfall, and mean-downside deviation. Depending on risk aversion and the level of sophistication assumed for the DC scheme, minimum acceptable funding ratios are between 0.87 and 1.20 in nominal terms. For relative risk aversion of 5 and a DC scheme with a fixed-contribution setup, the minimum nominal funding ratio is between 0.87 and 0.98. The attractiveness of the DB plan increases with the expected equity premium and the fraction invested in stocks. We conclude that the expected value of intergenerational solidarity, providing time-diversification to its participants, can be large. Minimum funding ratios in real (inflation-adjusted) terms lie between 0.56 and 0.79. Given a DB pension fund with a funding ratio of 1.30, a participant in a DC plan has to pay a 2.7 to 6.1% point higher contribution on average to achieve equal expected utility.

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