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Does Mandating Social Insurance Affect Entrepreneurial Activity?

Author

Listed:
  • Youssef Benzarti
  • Jarkko Harju
  • Tuomas Matikka

Abstract

This paper estimates the effect of relaxing the social insurance mandate on entrepreneurial activity using rich administrative data from Finland. We find that relaxing the social insurance mandate leads entrepreneurs to reduce their contributions by 16 percent, which they channel instead into their firms. While young firms use the saved cash to increase their sales by 11 percent and labor costs by 6 percent, older firms use it to improve their net lending position by purchasing stocks. Our results imply that the impact of the social insurance mandate on business activity is heterogeneous and depends on the age of the firm.

Suggested Citation

  • Youssef Benzarti & Jarkko Harju & Tuomas Matikka, 2020. "Does Mandating Social Insurance Affect Entrepreneurial Activity?," American Economic Review: Insights, American Economic Association, vol. 2(2), pages 255-268, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:aea:aerins:v:2:y:2020:i:2:p:255-68
    DOI: 10.1257/aeri.20190097
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    Cited by:

    1. Lu, Bing & Ma, Hong & Hu, Jiashu & Xu, Yuan, 2025. "The employment effects of VAT rebate efficiency: Evidence from SMEs in China," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 94(PB).
    2. Guo, Audrey & Wallskog, Melanie, 2025. "New employer payroll taxes and entrepreneurship," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 250(C).
    3. Benzarti, Youssef & Harju, Jarkko, 2021. "Can payroll tax cuts help firms during recessions?," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 200(C).
    4. Schoukens, Paul & Weber, Enzo, 2020. "Unemployment insurance for the self-employed: a way forward post-corona," IAB-Discussion Paper 202032, Institut für Arbeitsmarkt- und Berufsforschung (IAB), Nürnberg [Institute for Employment Research, Nuremberg, Germany].
    5. Ding, Haoyuan & Dong, Wenjuan & Qin, Cong, 2025. "Does migrant working experience stimulate returnees’ entrepreneurship: Evidence from rural China," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 229(C).
    6. Harju, Jarkko & Koivisto, Aliisa & Matikka, Tuomas, 2022. "The effects of corporate taxes on small firms," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 212(C).
    7. Ander Iraizoz, 2020. "Saving for retirement through the public pension system: Evidence from the self-employed in Spain," PSE Working Papers halshs-02948136, HAL.
    8. Enrico Rubolino, 2022. "Taxing the Gender Gap: Labor Market Effects of a Payroll Tax Cut for Women in Italy," Cahiers de Recherches Economiques du Département d'économie 22.01, Université de Lausanne, Faculté des HEC, Département d’économie.
    9. Massenz, Gabriella, 2023. "On the behavioral effects of tax policy," Other publications TiSEM eb44a9f7-b859-480d-b2e4-4, Tilburg University, School of Economics and Management.
    10. Ander Iraizoz, 2020. "Saving for retirement through the public pension system: Evidence from the self-employed in Spain," Working Papers halshs-02948136, HAL.
    11. Zhao, Xiaoyang & Weng, Zongyuan, 2024. "Digital dividend or divide: The digital economy and urban entrepreneurial activity," Socio-Economic Planning Sciences, Elsevier, vol. 93(C).
    12. Li, Rui & Zhu, Zhikai & Wang, Xiaoyan, 2023. "Pension insurance contributions and ESG performance: Evidence from China," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 58(PD).
    13. Enrico Rubolino, 2022. "Taxing the Gender Gap: Labor Market Effects of a Payroll Tax Cut for Women in Italy," CESifo Working Paper Series 9671, CESifo.

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • H55 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies - - - Social Security and Public Pensions
    • J32 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Nonwage Labor Costs and Benefits; Retirement Plans; Private Pensions
    • L26 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Entrepreneurship

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