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Progressive Pension and Optimal Tax Progressivity

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  • Chung Tran
  • Nabeeh Zakariyya

Abstract

We examine the extent to which progressivity in the income tax and public pension systems could complement one another. We demonstrate that there is a negative relationship between optimal tax progressivity and pension progressivity. Shifting the social insurance and redistribution roles embedded in the progressive income tax code to a progressive pension system with stricter means-testing rules can yield better overall welfare outcomes. Flattening the income tax code (less tax progressivity) while tightening means-testing rules for pension payments (more pension progressivity) indeed results in larger welfare gains. The optimal design consists of a flat income tax rate and a strict means-tested pension scheme. Overall, redistributive concerns should be addressed directly through more progressive transfers; meanwhile, reducing tax progressivity is important for improving aggregate efficiency.

Suggested Citation

  • Chung Tran & Nabeeh Zakariyya, 2023. "Progressive Pension and Optimal Tax Progressivity," ANU Working Papers in Economics and Econometrics 2023-691, Australian National University, College of Business and Economics, School of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:acb:cbeeco:2023-691
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Taxation; age pension; tax progressivity; income dynamics; inequality; Suits index; heterogeneity; dynamic general equilibrium;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • E62 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Macroeconomic Policy, Macroeconomic Aspects of Public Finance, and General Outlook - - - Fiscal Policy; Modern Monetary Theory
    • H24 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - Personal Income and Other Nonbusiness Taxes and Subsidies
    • H31 - Public Economics - - Fiscal Policies and Behavior of Economic Agents - - - Household

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