In contrast to the United States and the United Kingdom, little empirical work exists about the distributional characteristics of appraisal-based real estate returns outside these countries. The purpose of this study is to fill this gap by focusing on Germany. In line with other studies, this...

The tax codes in many countries allow for special tax advantages for investments in special retirement plans. Probably the most important advantage to these plans is that profits usually remain untaxed. This paper deals with the question, which assets are preferable in a taxdeferred account...

Household decisions are profoundly shaped by a complex set of financial options due to Social Security rules determining retirement, spousal, and survivor benefits, along with benefit adjustments that vary with the age at which these are claimed. These rules influence optimal household asset...