IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/ecanpo/v89y2026icp542-555.html

Regulatory "intensity" and participation "enthusiasm": How does financial regulatory law drive residents' participation in pension security?

Author

Listed:
  • Liu, Jian
  • Zhang, Sen
  • Liu, Zhan
  • Huang, Weihua

Abstract

Amid global population aging, improving the participation and sustainability of pension systems has become a pressing policy concern. This study investigates the role of financial regulation in promoting pension participation, using panel data from Chinese cities and a two-way fixed effects model. Results show that stronger financial regulation significantly increases pension participation, with robust effects across multiple specifications. Mechanism analysis reveals two indirect pathways: financial development and household savings. While financial development shows a negative substitution effect for some groups, enhanced household savings consistently boost participation. Moderation analysis further indicates that population aging weakens, while urban–rural income gaps strengthen, the regulatory effect. These findings highlight the importance of structural conditions in shaping policy outcomes.

Suggested Citation

  • Liu, Jian & Zhang, Sen & Liu, Zhan & Huang, Weihua, 2026. "Regulatory "intensity" and participation "enthusiasm": How does financial regulatory law drive residents' participation in pension security?," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 89(C), pages 542-555.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecanpo:v:89:y:2026:i:c:p:542-555
    DOI: 10.1016/j.eap.2025.11.024
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0313592625004758
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.eap.2025.11.024?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to

    for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Yann Algan & Pierre Cahuc, 2010. "Inherited Trust and Growth," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 100(5), pages 2060-2092, December.
    2. Huber, Christoph & Huber, Jürgen & Kirchler, Michael, 2022. "Volatility shocks and investment behavior," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 194(C), pages 56-70.
    3. Giles, John & Meng, Xin & Xue, Sen & Zhao, Guochang, 2021. "Can information influence the social insurance participation decision of China's rural migrants?," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 150(C).
    4. Han, Baohua & Liu, Chao & Ling, Wenhao, 2025. "Impact of financial literacy and awareness of children's pension responsibilities on the willingness to purchase pension insurance: Evidence based on survey data (CLASS)," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 76(C).
    5. Agénor, Pierre-Richard & Pereira da Silva, Luiz A., 2023. "Macro-financial policies under a managed float: A simple integrated framework," Journal of International Money and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 135(C).
    6. Jiakai Zhang & Renjie Zhao, 2022. "The effect of population aging on pension enforcement: Do firms bear the burden?," Economic Inquiry, Western Economic Association International, vol. 60(4), pages 1644-1662, October.
    7. Yann Algan & Pierre Cahuc, 2010. "Inherited Trust and Growth," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 100(5), pages 2060-2092, December.
    8. Chen, Rongda & Zhou, Hanxian & Jin, Chenglu & Liu, Jia, 2020. "Discount or premium? Pricing of structured products: An analysis of Chinese market," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 70(C).
    9. Xinxin Ma, 2022. "Social Insurances and Risky Financial Market Participation: Evidence from China," Emerging Markets Finance and Trade, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 58(10), pages 2957-2975, August.
    10. Matthias Breuer & Katharina Hombach & Maximilian A Müller, 2018. "How Does Financial Reporting Regulation Affect Firms’ Banking?," The Review of Financial Studies, Society for Financial Studies, vol. 31(4), pages 1265-1297.
    11. Betz, Timm & Pond, Amy, 2023. "Democratic institutions and regulatory privileges for government debt," European Journal of Political Economy, Elsevier, vol. 79(C).
    12. Robert Holzmann, 2013. "Global pension systems and their reform: Worldwide drivers, trends and challenges," International Social Security Review, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 66(2), pages 1-29, April.
    13. Milton Harris & Christian C. Opp & Marcus M. Opp, 2025. "Intermediary Capital and the Credit Market," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 71(1), pages 162-183, January.
    14. van Rooij, Maarten & Lusardi, Annamaria & Alessie, Rob, 2011. "Financial literacy and stock market participation," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 101(2), pages 449-472, August.
    15. Mazzoli, Camilla & Ferretti, Riccardo & Filotto, Umberto, 2024. "Financial literacy and financial advice seeking: Does product specificity matter?," The Quarterly Review of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 95(C), pages 98-110.
    16. Liu, Liang & Ju, Zhen, 2025. "Digital finance and retirement planning: The role of information cost reduction and trust enhancement channels," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 144(C).
    17. Lee, Chien-Chiang & Chang, Chi-Hung & Arouri, Mohamed & Lee, Chi-Chuan, 2016. "Economic growth and insurance development: The role of institutional environments," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 59(C), pages 361-369.
    18. Lin Tai & Fu Xiaopeng & Gong Ting & Xu Xinpeng & Stavros Sindakis & Gazal Showkat, 2024. "Assessing the Relationship Between Digital Inclusive Finance and the Well-Being of Elderly Individuals: A Study of Life Satisfaction," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 15(2), pages 9597-9628, June.
    19. Jithin P & Suresh Babu M, 2022. "Does foreign direct investments in financial services induce financial development? Lessons from emerging economies," International Journal of Finance & Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 27(4), pages 4399-4411, October.
    20. Pan, Martin & Li, Daozheng & Wu, Hanrui & Lei, Pengfei, 2024. "Technological revolution and regulatory innovation: How governmental artificial intelligence adoption matters for financial regulation intensity," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 96(PA).
    21. Barr, Nicholas & Diamond, Peter, 2008. "Reforming Pensions: Principles and Policy Choices," OUP Catalogue, Oxford University Press, number 9780195311303.
    22. Xuan Huo & Mingang Lin, 2022. "Evolution of the rural social security system in a large country over 35 years: institutional transformation and the Chinese experience," China Agricultural Economic Review, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 14(1), pages 1-16, January.
    23. Thorsten Beck & Ross Levine & Alexey Levkov, 2010. "Big Bad Banks? The Winners and Losers from Bank Deregulation in the United States," Journal of Finance, American Finance Association, vol. 65(5), pages 1637-1667, October.
    24. Yang, Feng-An & Chang, Hung-Hao, 2023. "Impact of a pension program on healthcare utilization among older farmers: Empirical evidence from health claims data," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 169(C).
    25. Annamaria Lusardi & Olivia S. Mitchell, 2014. "The Economic Importance of Financial Literacy: Theory and Evidence," Journal of Economic Literature, American Economic Association, vol. 52(1), pages 5-44, March.
    26. Xuan Huo & Mingang Lin, 2022. "Evolution of the rural social security system in a large country over 35 years: institutional transformation and the Chinese experience," China Agricultural Economic Review, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 14(1), pages 1-16, January.
    27. Qiao, Junfeng & Lyu, Jinbo, 2025. "Unveiling the role of city commercial banks in influencing land financialization: Evidence from China," Structural Change and Economic Dynamics, Elsevier, vol. 72(C), pages 467-481.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Wei, Qingfang & Liu, Yuan & Cai, Weixing & Wan, Jiangtao, 2025. "Open government data and personal default: Evidence from China," Journal of Asian Economics, Elsevier, vol. 100(C).
    2. Guiso, Luigi & Zaccaria, Luana, 2023. "From patriarchy to partnership: Gender equality and household finance," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 147(3), pages 573-595.
    3. Jiacai Xiong & Linghong Chen & Yushu Zhu & Thomas Maak, 2026. "Social Trust and Corporate Greenwashing: Insights from China's Pilot Social Credit Systems," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 204(4), pages 855-883, April.
    4. Barone, Simona & Oggero, Noemi & Damilano, Marina, 2026. "Financial literacy and international portfolio diversification," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 105(C).
    5. Yang LIU & Risa HAGIWARA, 2023. "Female Labor Force Participation in Japan: An epidemiological approach using native and immigrant data," Discussion papers 23023, Research Institute of Economy, Trade and Industry (RIETI).
    6. Margaret Miller & Julia Reichelstein & Christian Salas & Bilal Zia, 2015. "Can You Help Someone Become Financially Capable? A Meta-Analysis of the Literature," The World Bank Research Observer, World Bank, vol. 30(2), pages 220-246.
    7. Aman, Hiroyuki & Motonishi, Taizo & Ogawa, Kazuhito & Omori, Kozo, 2024. "The effect of financial literacy on long-term recognition and short-term trade in mutual funds: Evidence from Japan," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 89(PB), pages 762-783.
    8. Jens Hagendorff & Sonya Lim & Duc Duy Nguyen, 2023. "Lender Trust and Bank Loan Contracts," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 69(3), pages 1758-1779, March.
    9. Otrachshenko, Vladimir & Tyurina, Elena & Nagapetyan, Artur, 2022. "The economic value of the Glass Beach: Contingent valuation and life satisfaction approaches," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 198(C).
    10. Koomson, Isaac & Churchill, Sefa Awaworyi & Smyth, Russell, 2025. "Financial literacy and clean energy adoption in South Africa," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 151(C).
    11. Noviarini, Jelita & Coleman, Andrew & Roberts, Helen & Whiting, Rosalind H., 2023. "Financial literacy and retirees' resource allocation decisions in New Zealand," Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 79(C).
    12. Florian Deuflhard & Dimitris Georgarakos & Roman Inderst, 2019. "Financial Literacy and Savings Account Returns," Journal of the European Economic Association, European Economic Association, vol. 17(1), pages 131-164.
    13. Gilles Hilary & Sterling Huang, 2023. "Trust and Contracting: Evidence from Church Sex Scandals," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 182(2), pages 421-442, January.
    14. Marcello D’Amato & Francesco Flaviano Russo, 2026. "Cultural doorways in the barriers to development," Journal of Economic Growth, Springer, vol. 31(1), pages 125-178, March.
    15. Cupák, Andrej & Fessler, Pirmin & Hsu, Joanne W. & Paradowski, Piotr R., 2022. "Investor confidence and high financial literacy jointly shape investments in risky assets," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 116(C).
    16. Mansi Yadav & Priyanka Banerji, 2025. "Digital financial literacy, saving and investment behaviour in India," Journal of Social and Economic Development, Springer;Institute for Social and Economic Change, vol. 27(2), pages 489-507, August.
    17. Yusuf, Fatima & Yousaf, Amna & Saeed, Abubakr, 2018. "Rethinking agency theory in developing countries: A case study of Pakistan," Accounting forum, Elsevier, vol. 42(4), pages 281-292.
    18. Bellofatto, Anthony & Broihanne, Marie-Hélène & D'Hondt, Catherine, 2019. "Appetite for information and trading behavior," LIDAM Discussion Papers LFIN 2019002, Université catholique de Louvain, Louvain Finance (LFIN).
    19. Sandro Ambuehl & B. Douglas Bernheim & Annamaria Lusardi, 2022. "Evaluating Deliberative Competence: A Simple Method with an Application to Financial Choice," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 112(11), pages 3584-3626, November.
    20. Grohmann, Antonia & Hamdan, Jana S., 2020. "The Effect of Self-Control on Borrowing: Experimental Evidence," Rationality and Competition Discussion Paper Series 264, CRC TRR 190 Rationality and Competition.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:ecanpo:v:89:y:2026:i:c:p:542-555. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.journals.elsevier.com/economic-analysis-and-policy .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.