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Asset allocation and age effects in retirement savings choices

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  • Paul Gerrans
  • Marilyn Clark‐Murphy
  • Craig Speelman

Abstract

We examine the asset allocation decisions of members of three large Australian retirement savings funds. Superannuation Guarantee legislation in 1992 made Australian employees compulsory investors by requiring employers to contribute a fixed proportion of earnings to a superannuation fund on behalf of employees. A majority of these employees can choose an investment strategy for these contributions. We examine how actual investment strategy and asset allocation choices of members change with age in view of the conventional wisdom that individuals allocate less to risky assets as they age and investments theory which provides conflicting advice on the issue.

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  • Paul Gerrans & Marilyn Clark‐Murphy & Craig Speelman, 2010. "Asset allocation and age effects in retirement savings choices," Accounting and Finance, Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 50(2), pages 301-319, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:acctfi:v:50:y:2010:i:2:p:301-319
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-629X.2009.00330.x
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    2. Barbara Broadway & John P. Haisken-DeNew, 2014. "The Importance of Economic Expectations for Retirement Entry," Melbourne Institute Working Paper Series wp2014n28, Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research, The University of Melbourne.
    3. Widayat & Wahjoedi & M. Syafi?ie Idrus, 2011. "Modelling the behaviour of household’s investment," Economic Journal of Emerging Markets, Universitas Islam Indonesia, vol. 3(2), pages 165-177, April.
    4. John Watson & James Delaney & Michael Dempsey & J. Wickramanayake, 2016. "Australian superannuation (pension) fund product ratings and performance: A guide for fund managers," Australian Journal of Management, Australian School of Business, vol. 41(2), pages 189-211, May.
    5. Adi Meir & Yevgeny Mugerman & Orly Sade, 2016. "Financial Literacy And Retirement Planning: Evidence From Israel," Israel Economic Review, Bank of Israel, vol. 14(1), pages 75-95.
    6. Peng, Xiaowen & Alpert, Karen & Hsu, Grace Chia-Man, 2020. "Switching between superannuation funds: Does performance and marketing matter?," Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 63(C).
    7. Craig Speelman & Marilyn Clark-Murphy & Paul Gerrans, 2013. "Decision Making Clusters in Retirement Savings: Gender Differences Dominate," Journal of Family and Economic Issues, Springer, vol. 34(3), pages 329-339, September.
    8. Barbara Broadway & John P. de New, 2021. "The Importance of Economic Expectations for Retirement Entry," Review of Income and Wealth, International Association for Research in Income and Wealth, vol. 67(1), pages 37-60, March.
    9. Steffen Westermann & Scott J. Niblock & Jennifer L. Harrison & Michael A. Kortt, 2020. "Financial Advice Seeking: A Review of the Barriers and Benefits," Economic Papers, The Economic Society of Australia, vol. 39(4), pages 367-388, December.

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