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Pension Expectations and Household Portfolio Choice of the Elderly in Japan

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  • Okumura, Tsunao
  • Usui, Emiko

Abstract

Using the Japanese Study of Aging and Retirement (JSTAR), we examine the determinants of household portfolio choice by the elderly in Japan. Only one-fifth of Japanese elderly hold stocks among their financial assets. Japanese elderly who are more educated, have better mental functions, have higher income, and subjectively expect a greater probability of living until at least age 80 are more likely to hold stocks. Among those who plan to receive public pension benefits in the future, those who expect a greater decline in future public pension benefits have a smaller share of stocks and a larger share of bonds in their portfolio of financial assets, but both are in small quantities. The most important factors affecting the relatively low investment in stocks by Japanese elderly are educational and income differences, rather than their low expectations about their future pension benefits.

Suggested Citation

  • Okumura, Tsunao & Usui, Emiko, 2021. "Pension Expectations and Household Portfolio Choice of the Elderly in Japan," CIS Discussion paper series 694, Center for Intergenerational Studies, Institute of Economic Research, Hitotsubashi University.
    • Handle: RePEc:hit:cisdps:694
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    File URL: https://hermes-ir.lib.hit-u.ac.jp/hermes/ir/re/72225/DP694.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. C. Y. Horioka & H. Fujisaki & W. Watanabe & T. Kouno, 2000. "Are Americans More Altruistic than the Japanese? A U.S.-Japan Comparison of Saving and Bequest Motives," International Economic Journal, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 14(1), pages 1-31.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Household portfolio choice; subjective expectations; pension benefits; Japan;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I10 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - General
    • H55 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies - - - Social Security and Public Pensions
    • D84 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Expectations; Speculations

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