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Second-best Properties of Implicit Social Security Taxes: Theory and Empirical Evidence

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  • Robert Fenge
  • Silke Uebelmesser
  • Martin Werding

Abstract

This paper investigates the inter-temporal structure of implicit taxes that arise in unfunded pension schemes. We demonstrate that these tax rates are declining over the life cycle. Using German micro-data for men and married women we estimate periodic wage elasticities of labour supply in order to check the second-best properties of this timing of tax rates. An efficient taxation would require to decrease the excessive implicit taxes for married women and to implement an inversely "J-shaped" tax profile for male workers. This result contradicts the standard proposal to smooth the profile of implicit tax rates across the individual life cycle

Suggested Citation

  • Robert Fenge & Silke Uebelmesser & Martin Werding, 2002. "Second-best Properties of Implicit Social Security Taxes: Theory and Empirical Evidence," CESifo Working Paper Series 743, CESifo.
    • Handle: RePEc:ces:ceswps:_743
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    Cited by:

    1. Gopi Shah Goda & John B. Shoven & Sita Nataraj Slavov, 2009. "Removing the Disincentives in Social Security for Long Careers," NBER Chapters, in: Social Security Policy in a Changing Environment, pages 21-38, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    2. Doina Maria Radulescu & Michael Stimmelmayr, 2007. "Fundamentale Steuerreformen für Deutschland: die Unternehmensteuerreform 2008, die Duale Einkommensteuer und die Einheitssteuer im Vergleich," Vierteljahrshefte zur Wirtschaftsforschung / Quarterly Journal of Economic Research, DIW Berlin, German Institute for Economic Research, vol. 76(2), pages 98-116.
    3. Lukach, R. & Plasmans, J.E.J., 2002. "Measuring Knowledge Spillovers using Patent Citations : Evidence from the Belgian Firm's Data," Other publications TiSEM d78bf59a-e0ff-4451-86b9-1, Tilburg University, School of Economics and Management.
    4. Martin Werding, 2005. "Survivor Benefits and the Gender Tax Gap in Public Pension Schemes: Observations from Germany," CESifo Working Paper Series 1596, CESifo.
    5. Martin Werding & Herbert Hofmann, 2005. "The fiscal balance of children in the German tax and social system Study commissioned by the Robert Bosch Foundation," ifo Forschungsberichte, ifo Institute - Leibniz Institute for Economic Research at the University of Munich, number 27, September.
    6. Doina Radulescu & Michael Stimmelmayr & Doina Maria Radulescu, 2005. "Implementing a Dual Income Tax in Germany: Effects on Investment and Welfare," ifo Working Paper Series 20, ifo Institute - Leibniz Institute for Economic Research at the University of Munich.
    7. Doina Maria Rădulescu & Michael Stimmelmayr, 2008. "Die Unternehmensteuerreform 2008: Eine Reformalternative für Deutschland?," Perspektiven der Wirtschaftspolitik, Verein für Socialpolitik, vol. 9(1), pages 19-36, February.
    8. Martin Werding, 2005. "Survivor Benefits and the Gender Tax-Gap in Public Pension Schemes Work Incentives and Options for Reform," ifo Working Paper Series 7, ifo Institute - Leibniz Institute for Economic Research at the University of Munich.
    9. Gopi Shah Goda & John Shoven & Sita Slavov, "undated". "Removing the Disincentives for Long Careers in the Social Security and Medicare Benefit Structure," Discussion Papers 08-058, Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research.
    10. Rydell, Ingrid, 2005. "Equity, Justice, Interdependence: Intergenerational Transfers and the Ageing Population," Arbetsrapport 2005:5, Institute for Futures Studies.
    11. Doina Radulescu & Michael Stimmelmayr, 2010. "The welfare loss from differential taxation of sectors in Germany," International Tax and Public Finance, Springer;International Institute of Public Finance, vol. 17(2), pages 193-215, April.
    12. Breyer, Friedrich & Franz, Wolfgang & Homburg, Stefan & Schnabel, Reinhold & Wille, Eberhard, 2004. "Reform der sozialen Sicherung: Kurzfassung," EconStor Books, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, number 92399, September.
    13. Metzger, Christoph, 2016. "The German statutory pension scheme: Balance sheet, cross-sectional internal rates of return and implicit tax rates," FZG Discussion Papers 63, University of Freiburg, Research Center for Generational Contracts (FZG).
    14. Gopi Shah Goda, 2007. "Implicit Social Security Tax Rates over the Life Cycle," Discussion Papers 06-021, Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research.
    15. Friedrich Breyer & Mathias Kifmann, 2004. "The German Retirement Benefit Formula: Drawbacks and Alternatives," FinanzArchiv: Public Finance Analysis, Mohr Siebeck, Tübingen, vol. 60(1), pages 63-82, April.

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