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Demography and investment behavior of pension funds: evidence for Switzerland

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  • GERBER, DAVID S.
  • WEBER, RENÉ

Abstract

This paper focuses on the nexus between pension funds' balance sheet liabilities, reflecting their age profile and payments obligations, and the investment behavior and costs of these funds. The context of the analysis is the stringent regulatory framework and the highly fragmented and heterogeneous pension fund landscape in Switzerland. Detailed data from the Swiss Pension Statistic are analyzed using multivariate OLS-regressions. The evidence shows that a younger age structure and lower short-term benefits payouts are related to a higher share of equities and lower real estate holdings. Legal form, pension plan type, and size are important for administrative costs. The findings support the view that aging may lead to increased risk aversion and thus to a lower engagement of institutional investors in equities.

Suggested Citation

  • Gerber, David S. & Weber, René, 2007. "Demography and investment behavior of pension funds: evidence for Switzerland," Journal of Pension Economics and Finance, Cambridge University Press, vol. 6(3), pages 313-337, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:cup:jpenef:v:6:y:2007:i:03:p:313-337_00
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    Cited by:

    1. Wang, Ting & Young, Virginia R., 2012. "Optimal commutable annuities to minimize the probability of lifetime ruin," Insurance: Mathematics and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 50(1), pages 200-216.
    2. Xiaohong Huang & Ronald Mahieu, 2012. "Performance Persistence of Dutch Pension Funds," De Economist, Springer, vol. 160(1), pages 17-34, March.
    3. Molenaar, R. & Ponds, E.H.M., 2011. "Risk Sharing and Individual Lifecycle Investing in Funded Collective Pensions," Other publications TiSEM b036a69d-317f-41c5-9581-f, Tilburg University, School of Economics and Management.
    4. José Luis Iparraguirre, 2020. "Economics and Ageing," Springer Books, Springer, number 978-3-030-29019-1, September.
    5. Jacob A. Bikker & Dirk W. G. A. Broeders & David A. Hollanders & Eduard H. M. Ponds, 2012. "Pension Funds’ Asset Allocation and Participant Age: A Test of the Life-Cycle Model," Journal of Risk & Insurance, The American Risk and Insurance Association, vol. 79(3), pages 595-618, September.
    6. Laurens Defau & Lieven De Moor, 2018. "The impact of plan and sponsor characteristics on pension funds’ asset allocation and currency diversification," Journal of Asset Management, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 19(1), pages 27-37, January.
    7. de Dreu, Jan & Bikker, Jacob A., 2012. "Investor sophistication and risk taking," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 36(7), pages 2145-2156.
    8. Laurens Defau & Lieven De Moor, 2021. "The investment behaviour of pension funds in alternative assets: Interest rates and portfolio diversification," International Journal of Finance & Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 26(1), pages 1424-1434, January.
    9. repec:aia:aiaswp:wp99 is not listed on IDEAS

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