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Two competing explanations for why consumers have trouble with financial decisions are gaining momentum. One is that people are financially illiterate since they lack understanding of simple economic concepts and cannot carry out computations such as computing compound interest, which could...
Persistent link: https://www.econbiz.de/10013130966
shifted towards defined contribution (DC) plans as their primary savings plan, and fiscal pressures are likely to generate … retirement in other accounts. There is also substantial heterogeneity across jurisdictions in the savings generated in primary DC … employer match. We conclude by applying lessons from savings behavior in private sector savings plans to the design of public …
Persistent link: https://www.econbiz.de/10013130979
Default contribution rates for 401(k) pension plans powerfully influence workers' choices. Potential causes include opt-out costs, procrastination, inattention, and psychological anchoring. We examine the welfare implications of defaults under each of these theories. We show how the optimal...
Persistent link: https://www.econbiz.de/10013118423
on savings. Low-saving employees received simplified plan enrollment or contribution increase forms. A randomized subset … savings of non-participants who were ineligible for 401(k) automatic enrollment, and higher observed peer savings rates also … decreased savings. Discouragement from upward social comparisons seems to drive this reaction …
Persistent link: https://www.econbiz.de/10013121011
savings plan has been shown to boost wealth. Overall, financial literacy, both directly and indirectly, is found to have a …
Persistent link: https://www.econbiz.de/10013121050
We define and estimate measures of economic preparation for retirement based on a complete inventory of economic resources while taking into account the risk of living to advanced old age and the risk of high out-of-pocket spending for health care services. We ask whether, in a sample of 66-69...
Persistent link: https://www.econbiz.de/10013122644
We examine financial literacy in Germany using data from the SAVE survey. We find that knowledge of basic financial concepts is lacking among women, the less educated, and those living in East Germany. In particular, those with low education and low income in East Germany have little financial...
Persistent link: https://www.econbiz.de/10013123985
We examine financial literacy in the United States using the new National Financial Capability Study, wherein we demonstrate that financial literacy is particularly low among the young, women, and the less-educated. Moreover, Hispanics and African-Americans score the least well on financial...
Persistent link: https://www.econbiz.de/10013124228
We present new evidence on financial literacy and retirement preparation in the Netherlands based on two surveys conducted before and after the onset of the financial crisis. We document that while financial knowledge did not increase from 2005 to 2010, significantly more individuals planned for...
Persistent link: https://www.econbiz.de/10013124236
Relatively little is known about why people fail to plan for retirement and whether planning and information costs might affect retirement saving patterns. This paper reports on a purpose-built survey module on planning and financial literacy for the Health and Retirement Study which measures...
Persistent link: https://www.econbiz.de/10013124838