Discussion paper

DP2780 The Political Feasibility of Increasing Retirement Age: Lessons from a Ballot on Female Retirement Age

In 1998, the Swiss voters approved of an increase in female retirement age from 62 to 64. The referendum, being on a single issue only, offers a unique opportunity to explore the political feasibility of pension reforms and to apply theoretical models of life-cycle decision making. Estimates carried out with municipality data suggest that the outcome of the vote conforms relatively well with predictions drawn from a theoretical simulation study. There are, however, surprising gender differences even in married couples. Young agents, married middle-aged and all elderly men favour an increase in female retirement age, while middle-aged and elderly women strongly oppose it. Richer communities and those with a high proportion of self-employed or a low fraction of blue-collar workers are more likely to opt for a higher retirement age. Ideological preferences and regional differences also play a considerable role.

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Citation

Butler, M (2001), ‘DP2780 The Political Feasibility of Increasing Retirement Age: Lessons from a Ballot on Female Retirement Age‘, CEPR Discussion Paper No. 2780. CEPR Press, Paris & London. https://cepr.org/publications/dp2780