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How Effective are Matching Schemes in Enticing Low-income Earners to Save More for Retirement? Evidence from a National Scheme

Author

Listed:
  • Chan, Marc K.

    (University of Melbourne)

  • Polidano, Cain

    (Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research)

  • Vu, Ha

    (Deakin University)

  • Wilkins, Roger

    (Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research)

  • Carter, Andrew

    (Australian National University)

  • To, Hang

    (Australian National University)

Abstract

Concerns over the adequacy of low and middle-income earner contributions to retirement plans have led governments to introduce targeted matching schemes. In this study, we examine the effects of a simple and generous Australian scheme using administrative tax-filer data, exploiting longitudinal changes in eligibility and match rates. We find small increases in the proportion who contribute and bunching at the eligible maximum, but lower average contributions because the matching payment displaces contributions of high contributors. Contributions through unmatched channels are also crowded out. These findings highlight the difficulties of targeting matching schemes and question the merits of simplifying them.

Suggested Citation

  • Chan, Marc K. & Polidano, Cain & Vu, Ha & Wilkins, Roger & Carter, Andrew & To, Hang, 2020. "How Effective are Matching Schemes in Enticing Low-income Earners to Save More for Retirement? Evidence from a National Scheme," IZA Discussion Papers 13939, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp13939
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Cain Polidano & Andrew Carter & Marc Chan & Abraham Chigavazira & Hang To & Justin Holland & Son Nguyen & Ha Vu & Roger Wilkins, 2020. "The ATO Longitudinal Information Files (ALife): A New Resource for Retirement Policy Research," Australian Economic Review, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research, vol. 53(3), pages 429-449, September.
    2. Esther Duflo & William Gale & Jeffrey Liebman & Peter Orszag & Emmanuel Saez, 2006. "Saving Incentives for Low- and Middle-Income Families: Evidence from a Field Experiment with H&R Block," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 121(4), pages 1311-1346.
    3. Bradley T. Heim & Ithai Z. Lurie, 2014. "Taxes, Income, And Retirement Savings: Differences By Permanent And Transitory Income," Contemporary Economic Policy, Western Economic Association International, vol. 32(3), pages 592-617, July.
    4. Raj Chetty & John N. Friedman & Søren Leth-Petersen & Torben Heien Nielsen & Tore Olsen, 2014. "Active vs. Passive Decisions and Crowd-Out in Retirement Savings Accounts: Evidence from Denmark," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 129(3), pages 1141-1219.
    5. Ramnath, Shanthi, 2013. "Taxpayers' responses to tax-based incentives for retirement savings: Evidence from the Saver's Credit notch," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 101(C), pages 77-93.
    6. Börsch-Supan, Axel & Coppola, Michela & Reil-Held, Anette, 1970. "Riester Pensions in Germany: Design, Dynamics, Targetting Success and Crowding-In," MEA discussion paper series 201220, Munich Center for the Economics of Aging (MEA) at the Max Planck Institute for Social Law and Social Policy.
    7. Victor Chernozhukov & Christian Hansen, 2004. "The Effects of 401(K) Participation on the Wealth Distribution: An Instrumental Quantile Regression Analysis," The Review of Economics and Statistics, MIT Press, vol. 86(3), pages 735-751, August.
    8. Alexander M. Gelber, 2011. "How Do 401(k)s Affect Saving? Evidence from Changes in 401(k) Eligibility," American Economic Journal: Economic Policy, American Economic Association, vol. 3(4), pages 103-122, November.
    9. Esther Duflo & William Gale & Jeffrey Liebman & Peter Orszag & Emmanuel Saez, 2007. "Savings Incentives for Low- and Moderate-Income Families in the United States: Why is the Saver's Credit Not More Effective?," Journal of the European Economic Association, MIT Press, vol. 5(2-3), pages 647-661, 04-05.
    10. Corneo, Giacomo & Keese, Matthias & Schröder, Carsten, 2010. "The Effect of Saving Subsidies on Household Saving – Evidence from Germanys," Ruhr Economic Papers 170, RWI - Leibniz-Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung, Ruhr-University Bochum, TU Dortmund University, University of Duisburg-Essen.
    11. Giacomo Corneo & Matthias Keese & Carsten Schröder, 2009. "The Riester Scheme and Private Savings: An Empirical Analysis based on the German SOEP," Schmollers Jahrbuch : Journal of Applied Social Science Studies / Zeitschrift für Wirtschafts- und Sozialwissenschaften, Duncker & Humblot, Berlin, vol. 129(2), pages 321-332.
    12. Koenig, Gary & Harvey, Robert, 2005. "Utilization of the Saver's Credit: An Analysis of the First Year," National Tax Journal, National Tax Association;National Tax Journal, vol. 58(4), pages 787-806, December.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    private pension; matching schemes; retirement income; aging population;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I3 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty
    • J14 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of the Elderly; Economics of the Handicapped; Non-Labor Market Discrimination
    • H55 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies - - - Social Security and Public Pensions

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