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Job Amenities and the Gender Pension Gap

Author

Listed:
  • Iris Kesternich

  • Marjolein Van Damme

  • Han Ye

Abstract

One reason gender pay gaps persist is that women receive more of their total compensation through amenities. Since wages, but not amenities, increase retirement incomes, this may translate into gender pension gaps. Using a discrete choice experiment we investigate whether the valuation for amenities changes when the trade-off with pension income is made salient. We find that women value amenities more than men. Beliefs about the effect of wage changes on pension income do not show large gender differences. However, women change their choices much more strongly than men when reminded about the effects of current choices on pension income.

Suggested Citation

  • Iris Kesternich & Marjolein Van Damme & Han Ye, 2024. "Job Amenities and the Gender Pension Gap," CRC TR 224 Discussion Paper Series crctr224_2024_600v2, University of Bonn and University of Mannheim, Germany, revised Apr 2025.
    • Handle: RePEc:bon:boncrc:crctr224_2024_600v2
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    File URL: https://www.crctr224.de/research/discussion-papers/archive/dp600
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • D91 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics - - - Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on Decision Making
    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination
    • J26 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Retirement; Retirement Policies
    • J32 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Nonwage Labor Costs and Benefits; Retirement Plans; Private Pensions

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