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Tax incentives, bequest motives, and the demand for life insurance: evidence from a natural experiment in Germany

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  • SAUTER, NICOLAS
  • WALLISER, JAN
  • WINTER, JOACHIM

Abstract

This paper studies the role of taxation and bequest motives in households’ demand for life insurance. We develop a stylized three-period life cycle model of life insurance demand and test its predictions regarding tax changes and bequests motives. An unexpected halving of the tax exemption limit for interest and dividend income in Germany allows us to identify the impact of changes in taxation on the demand for life insurance in a difference-in-differences setting. In line with our theoretical predictions, we document that ownership of life insurance products increased significantly among households affected by the reform. We also find some evidence of a more pronounced response among households with stronger bequest motives.

Suggested Citation

  • Sauter, Nicolas & Walliser, Jan & Winter, Joachim, 2015. "Tax incentives, bequest motives, and the demand for life insurance: evidence from a natural experiment in Germany," Journal of Pension Economics and Finance, Cambridge University Press, vol. 14(4), pages 525-553, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:cup:jpenef:v:14:y:2015:i:04:p:525-553_00
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    Cited by:

    1. Saruultuya Tsendsuren & Chu-Shiu Li & Sheng-Chang Peng & Wing-Keung Wong, 2018. "The Effects of Health Status on Life Insurance Holdings in 16 European Countries," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(10), pages 1-30, September.
    2. Mariacristina Rossi & Dario Sansone, 2018. "Precautionary savings and the self-employed," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 51(1), pages 105-127, June.
    3. Chen, Chang-Chih & Chang, Chia-Chien & Sun, Edward W. & Yu, Min-Teh, 2022. "Optimal decision of dynamic wealth allocation with life insurance for mitigating health risk under market incompleteness," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 300(2), pages 727-742.
    4. Chu-Shiu Li & Gene C. Lai & Saruultuya Tsendsuren & Richard J. Butler & Chwen-Chi Liu, 2023. "Cognitive abilities and life insurance holdings: evidence from 16 European countries," The Geneva Risk and Insurance Review, Palgrave Macmillan;International Association for the Study of Insurance Economics (The Geneva Association), vol. 48(1), pages 110-166, March.
    5. Markéta Arltová & Tomáš Kábrt, 2018. "Hlavní determinanty ovlivňující poptávku po životním pojištění v České republice [Analysis of Determinants, Influencing Life Insurance Demand in the Czech Republic]," Politická ekonomie, Prague University of Economics and Business, vol. 2018(3), pages 344-365.
    6. Srbinoski Bojan & Strozzi Fernanda & Poposki Klime & Born Patricia H., 2020. "Trends in Life Insurance Demand and Lapse Literature," Asia-Pacific Journal of Risk and Insurance, De Gruyter, vol. 14(2), pages 1-46, July.

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