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Auf Leben und Tod – Steigende Lebenserwartung und Sozialversicherung

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  • Friedrich Breyer

Abstract

Rapidly increasing life expectancy is seen by economists as a serious impediment to the financing of social security systems, no matter whether they are funded or not. However, what is less obvious is that these systems themselves may contribute to the increase in life expectancy by distorting people's incentives to invest in the length of their lives. This paper discusses theories of this moral hazard effect and offers some preliminary evidence on the empirical validity of this theory. I also present an option of reforming traditional social security systems which is designed to reduce this moral hazard effect.

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  • Friedrich Breyer, 2004. "Auf Leben und Tod – Steigende Lebenserwartung und Sozialversicherung," Perspektiven der Wirtschaftspolitik, Verein für Socialpolitik, vol. 5(2), pages 227-241, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:perwir:v:5:y:2004:i:2:p:227-241
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1468-2516.2004.00149.x
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Peter Zweifel, 2006. "Auftrag und Grenzen der Sozialen Krankenversicherung," Perspektiven der Wirtschaftspolitik, Verein für Socialpolitik, vol. 7(s1), pages 5-26, May.
    2. Bert Rürup, 2012. "Die Riester-Reformen - Genese, Wunsch und Wirklichkeit," Vierteljahrshefte zur Wirtschaftsforschung / Quarterly Journal of Economic Research, DIW Berlin, German Institute for Economic Research, vol. 81(2), pages 35-42.

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