Corresponding author: Maarten Lindeboom, Department of Economics, VU University, Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1105, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Email: mlindeboom@feweb.vu.nl. We gratefully acknowledge ABP for making the administrative data available. We acknowledge the comments and suggestions of Lex Borghans, Norma Coe, Thomas Dohmen, Owen O'Donnel, Arnaud Dupuy, Hans van Kippersluis, Ben Kriechel, Jörn-Steffen Pischke, Jan Sauermann, two referees and seminar participants at Pompeu Fabra Barcelona, the University of Sheffield, the Netspar Theme Conference on Health and Retirement, ESPE and EALE.
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Shattered Dreams: The Effects of Changing the Pension System Late in the Game†
Article first published online: 28 NOV 2011
DOI: 10.1111/j.1468-0297.2011.02486.x
© 2011 The Author(s). The Economic Journal © 2011 Royal Economic Society
Additional Information
How to Cite
Grip, A. D., Lindeboom, M. and Montizaan, R. (2012), Shattered Dreams: The Effects of Changing the Pension System Late in the Game. The Economic Journal, 122: 1–25. doi: 10.1111/j.1468-0297.2011.02486.x
- †
Until 1 January 2002, pension benefits were calculated using wage earnings in the year prior to retirement. Since 2002, pension benefits have been calculated using average annual earnings.
Publication History
- Issue published online: 5 MAR 2012
- Article first published online: 28 NOV 2011
- Submitted: 14 January 2010 Accepted: 31 May 2011
- Abstract
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This article assesses the impact of a dramatic reform of the Dutch pension system on the mental health of workers nearing retirement age. The reform means that public sector workers born on 1 January 1950 or later face a substantial reduction in their pension rights while, for workers born before 1950 nothing changes. We employ a unique-matched survey and administrative dataset comprising male public sector workers born in 1949 and 1950 and find a strong deterioration in mental health for workers affected by the reform. These effects are stronger for married workers whose partner has no pension income.