Kaganovich, Michael; Meier, Volker (2012): Social Security Systems, Human Capital, and Growth in a Small Open Economy. In: Journal of Public Economic Theory, Vol. 14, No. 4: pp. 573-600 |
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Abstract
We consider a small open economy in which the level of public education funding is determined by popular vote. We show that growth can be enhanced by the introduction of pay-as-you-go pensions even if the growth rate of aggregate wages falls short of the interest rate. The reason is that the pay-as-you-go (PAYG) system allows future retirees to partially internalize positive externalities of public education due to the positive effect of higher future labor productivity on their pension benefits. The majority support for education funding will be especially strong when the PAYG benefit formula is flat, i.e., progressively redistributive. If a flat benefit PAYG pension system is in place then the economy will achieve the highest growth rate relative to the alternative pension system designs. While such PAYG pension system may be opposed by the majority of working individuals due to inferior returns to their pension contributions relative to a funded scheme, it is likely to be politically sustained by a coalition of older individuals and lower income workers.
Item Type: | Journal article |
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Faculties: | Economics Economics > Chairs > Chair for Public Economics |
Subjects: | 300 Social sciences > 330 Economics |
Language: | English |
ID Code: | 19536 |
Deposited On: | 15. Apr 2014 08:51 |
Last Modified: | 04. Nov 2020 13:01 |
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Social security systems, human capital, and growth in a small open economy. (deposited 15. Apr 2014 08:51)
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