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International trends in pension provision

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  • Nicholas Barr

Abstract

This paper considers international trends in pension arrangements, starting with lessons from economic theory. The analysis includes recent developments in the economics of information and behavioural economics, developments which call into question conventional arguments in favour of voluntarism and free competition. Section 3 of the paper considers why pension systems are developing the way they are – largely a response to a series of long‐term trends. In light of the discussion in Sections 2 and 3, Section 4 of the paper describes pension systems in a range of countries, and illustrates the wide range of options available to a developed country. Section 5 reflects briefly on accounting standards. The paper offers a number of key messages. Pension systems have multiple objectives. Second, and, in part, a consequence, there is no single best pension system. Third, policy design is not enough – the design of pension systems must be compatible with a country's capacity to implement the design effectively.

Suggested Citation

  • Nicholas Barr, 2009. "International trends in pension provision," Accounting and Business Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 39(3), pages 211-225.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:acctbr:v:39:y:2009:i:3:p:211-225
    DOI: 10.1080/00014788.2009.9663361
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Barr, Nicholas & Diamond, Peter, 2008. "Reforming Pensions: Principles and Policy Choices," OUP Catalogue, Oxford University Press, number 9780195311303.
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    Cited by:

    1. Huan Wang & Jianyuan Huang & Shuangyue Sun, 2019. "Assessment of the Financial Sustainability of China’s New Rural Pension Plan: Does the Demographic Policy Reform Matter?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(18), pages 1-22, September.
    2. Sergey A. Budko & Dmitry Yu. Fedotov, 2017. "World Experience and Russian Practice of the Pension System’s Revenue Formation: Mathematic Methods of Estimation," Journal of Tax Reform, Graduate School of Economics and Management, Ural Federal University, vol. 3(3), pages 199-215.
    3. Barr, Nicholas, 2025. "Risk-sharing in pension plans: multiple options," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 125669, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.

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