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Effects Of Stock Market Fluctuations On The Adequacy Of Retirement Wealth Accumulation

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  • Eric M. Engen
  • William G. Gale
  • Cori E. Uccello

Abstract

This paper examines the relation between fluctuations in the aggregate value of equities and the adequacy of households’ saving for retirement. Using more recent data than most studies on this topic, we find that many and perhaps most households appear to be saving adequate amounts for retirement, and that there is almost no link between aggregate equity values and the adequacy of retirement saving. A simulated 40 percent decline in stocks has little effect on the adequacy of saving. The substantial growth in equity values and ownership in the 1980s and 1990s did not lead to a surge in the adequacy of retirement saving provisions. The results occur because equity holdings are concentrated among households with significant amounts of other wealth.

Suggested Citation

  • Eric M. Engen & William G. Gale & Cori E. Uccello, 2005. "Effects Of Stock Market Fluctuations On The Adequacy Of Retirement Wealth Accumulation," Review of Income and Wealth, International Association for Research in Income and Wealth, vol. 51(3), pages 397-418, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:revinw:v:51:y:2005:i:3:p:397-418
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1475-4991.2005.00160.x
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    2. Courtney C. Coile & Phillip B. Levine, 2006. "Bulls, Bears, and Retirement Behavior," ILR Review, Cornell University, ILR School, vol. 59(3), pages 408-429, April.
    3. Gopi Shah Goda & John B. Shoven & Sita Nataraj Slavov, 2012. "Does Stock Market Performance Influence Retirement Intentions?," Journal of Human Resources, University of Wisconsin Press, vol. 47(4), pages 1055-1081.
    4. Davies, James B. & Yu, Xiaoyu, 2013. "Impacts of Cyclical Downturns on the Third Pillar of the RIS and Policy Responses," CLSSRN working papers clsrn_admin-2013-20, Vancouver School of Economics, revised 29 Apr 2013.
    5. James Banks & Rowena Crawford & Thomas Crossley & Carl Emmerson, 2012. "The effect of the financial crisis on older households in England," IFS Working Papers W12/09, Institute for Fiscal Studies.
    6. Edouard A. Ribes, 2022. "Financial planning and optimal retirement timing for physically intensive occupations," SN Business & Economics, Springer, vol. 2(8), pages 1-28, August.
    7. de Bresser, Jochem & Knoef, Marike & Kools, Lieke, 2021. "Cutting one’s coat according to one’s cloth – How did the great recession affect retirement resources and expenditure goals?," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 188(C), pages 126-166.
    8. de Bresser, Jochem & Kools, Lieke & Knoef, Marike, 2019. "Cutting one’s coat according to one’s cloth : How did the Great Recession affect retirement resources and expenditure goals?," Other publications TiSEM 9415a8f7-182f-4675-893e-c, Tilburg University, School of Economics and Management.

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    JEL classification:

    • D91 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics - - - Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on Decision Making

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