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Can Policy Facilitate Partial Retirement? Evidence from Germany

Author

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  • Berg, Peter B.

    (Michigan State University)

  • Hamman, Mary K.

    (University of Wisconsin, La Crosse)

  • Piszczek, Matthew

    (University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh)

  • Ruhm, Christopher J.

    (University of Virginia)

Abstract

In 1996, Germany introduced the Altersteilzeit (ATZ) law, which encouraged longer working lives through partial retirement incentives. Using matched pension system and establishment survey data, we estimate changes in part-time employment and retirement after ATZ. We find the policy induced growth in part-time work for men and extended men's expected duration of employment by 1.8 years. As the policy evolved to include an abrupt retirement option, the worklife gain for men fell to 1.2 years. Among women, part-time employment grew less and employment duration changed little initially but later declined by 0.2 years when abrupt retirement became available.

Suggested Citation

  • Berg, Peter B. & Hamman, Mary K. & Piszczek, Matthew & Ruhm, Christopher J., 2015. "Can Policy Facilitate Partial Retirement? Evidence from Germany," IZA Discussion Papers 9266, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp9266
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    Cited by:

    1. Andrea Albanese & Bart Cockx & Yannick Thuy, 2020. "Working time reductions at the end of the career: Do they prolong the time spent in employment?," Empirical Economics, Springer, vol. 59(1), pages 99-141, July.
    2. Songül Tolan, 2017. "The Effect of Partial Retirement on Labor Supply, Public Balances and the Income Distribution: Evidence from a Structural Analysis," Discussion Papers of DIW Berlin 1679, DIW Berlin, German Institute for Economic Research.
    3. Haan, Peter & Tolan, Songül, 2019. "Labor supply and fiscal effects of partial retirement – The role of entry age and the timing of pension benefits," The Journal of the Economics of Ageing, Elsevier, vol. 14(C).
    4. Songül Tolan, 2015. "Die Flexibilisierung des Rentenübergangs in Deutschland," DIW Roundup: Politik im Fokus 82, DIW Berlin, German Institute for Economic Research.
    5. Endler, Johannes & Geyer, Johannes, 2017. "The Interaction of Pension System and Unemployment Insurance - Evidence from two Reforms," VfS Annual Conference 2017 (Vienna): Alternative Structures for Money and Banking 168279, Verein für Socialpolitik / German Economic Association.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    partial retirement; Germany;

    JEL classification:

    • J26 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Retirement; Retirement Policies

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