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Supporting Pension Contributions Through the Tax System: Outcomes, Costs and Examining Reform

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  • Micheál L. Collins

    (University College Dublin)

  • Gerard Hughes

    (Trinity College Dublin)

Abstract

Using the taxation system as a means of supporting contributions to pensions is a long standing and increasingly important policy tool. This paper examines the effectiveness of that tool using new data for Ireland in 2014. Looking at contributions from employees, employers and individuals into private pensions, we show the relatively small size of most pension contributions and highlight the challenges these imply for the adequacy of future pension income. Distributively, our results demonstrate a concentration of supports among those on the highest earnings and on the highest incomes and raise questions regarding the more efficient use of these resources.

Suggested Citation

  • Micheál L. Collins & Gerard Hughes, 2017. "Supporting Pension Contributions Through the Tax System: Outcomes, Costs and Examining Reform," The Economic and Social Review, Economic and Social Studies, vol. 48(4), pages 489-514.
    • Handle: RePEc:eso:journl:v:48:y:2017:i:4:p:489-514
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Kakoulidou, Theano & Keane, Claire & Sándorová, Simona, 2024. "State Contributory Pension reform: Winners and losers. Evidence from the Irish Longitudinal Study of Ageing," Papers BP2025/2, Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI).
    2. Doorley, Karina & Callan, Tim & Regan, Mark & Walsh, John R., 2018. "The tax treatment of pension contributions in Ireland," Quarterly Economic Commentary: Special Articles, Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI).
    3. Shane Whelan & Maeve Hally, 2018. "An Analysis of Taxation Supports for Private Pension Provision in Ireland," The Economic and Social Review, Economic and Social Studies, vol. 49(3), pages 319-359.
    4. Sanna Nivakoski & Alan Barrett, 2019. "Estimating, and Interpreting, Retirement Income Replacement Rates," The Economic and Social Review, Economic and Social Studies, vol. 50(3), pages 587-609.
    5. Zhang, Xiang & Li, Dongwen & Zhan, Peng & Bai, Xianchun, 2023. "Who benefits from the basic old-age insurance contribution subsidy policy for the disabled?," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 338(C).
    6. Bercholz, Maxime & Bergin, Adele & Callan, Tim & Garcia Rodriguez, Abian & Keane, Claire, 2019. "A micro-macro economic analysis of pension auto-enrolment options," Papers WP640, Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI).

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