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Inconsistent Retirement Timing

Author

Listed:
  • Christoph Merkle
  • Philipp Schreiber
  • Martin Weber

Abstract

We study the effect of inconsistent time preferences on actual and planned retirement timing decisions in two independent data sets. Theory predicts that hyperbolic time preferences can lead to dynamically inconsistent retirement timing. In an online experiment with more than 2,000 participants, we find that time-inconsistent participants retire on average 1.75 years earlier than time-consistent participants do. The planned retirement age of nonretired participants decreases with age. This negative age effect is about twice as strong among time-inconsistent participants. The temptation of early retirement seems to rise in the final years of approaching retirement. Consequently, time-inconsistent participants have a higher probability of regretting their retirement decision. We find similar results for a representative household survey (German SAVE panel). Using smoking behavior and overdraft usage as time preference proxies, we confirm that time-inconsistent participants retire earlier and that nonretirees reduce their planned retirement age within the panel.

Suggested Citation

  • Christoph Merkle & Philipp Schreiber & Martin Weber, 2024. "Inconsistent Retirement Timing," Journal of Human Resources, University of Wisconsin Press, vol. 59(3), pages 929-974.
    • Handle: RePEc:uwp:jhriss:v:59:y:2024:i:3:p:929-974
    Note: DOI: https://doi.org/10.3368/jhr.0920-11215R2
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Hongzi Liu & Ryo Sakamoto, 2025. "On the role of social security systems in a non-unitary discounting model," Journal of Population Economics, Springer;European Society for Population Economics, vol. 38(3), pages 1-21, September.

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • D14 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Household Saving; Personal Finance
    • D15 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Intertemporal Household Choice; Life Cycle Models and Saving
    • D91 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics - - - Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on Decision Making
    • H55 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies - - - Social Security and Public Pensions
    • J18 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Public Policy
    • J22 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Time Allocation and Labor Supply
    • J26 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Retirement; Retirement Policies

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