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Does Education Improve Financial Outcomes? Evidence from Stock Market and Retirement Accounts in Türkiye

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  • Aydemir, Abdurrahman B.

    (Sabanci University)

  • Ersan, Yasar

    (Ankara University)

Abstract

We examine the causal effect of education on financial outcomes related to stock markets and retirement savings, leveraging a major compulsory school reform and a unique data set covering the universe of investors in Türkiye. The estimates show no effects on participation rates, portfolio composition, or return performance. Moreover, education does not appear to influence behavioral biases or heuristics in retirement plans. The reform leads to a 3% increase in pension savings for females, with no significant effect on males. Higher earnings and increased employment with employer-sponsored pension plans appear as potential mechanisms driving the wealth effect.

Suggested Citation

  • Aydemir, Abdurrahman B. & Ersan, Yasar, 2025. "Does Education Improve Financial Outcomes? Evidence from Stock Market and Retirement Accounts in Türkiye," IZA Discussion Papers 17927, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp17927
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Wealth; Retirement; Education; Investment Decisions;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I21 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Analysis of Education
    • I26 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Returns to Education
    • G11 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Portfolio Choice; Investment Decisions
    • G41 - Financial Economics - - Behavioral Finance - - - Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on Decision Making in Financial Markets
    • G50 - Financial Economics - - Household Finance - - - General
    • G53 - Financial Economics - - Household Finance - - - Financial Literacy
    • J32 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Nonwage Labor Costs and Benefits; Retirement Plans; Private Pensions

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