The economics of pensions and variable retirement schemes

"Public old-age insurance schemes in industrialized countries are facing serious financing problems as demographics have changed, retirement ages have decreased and benefits have increased. This book surveys the theoretical, empirical and political issues involved in explaining the evolution of such systems and their reforms, and presents a microeconomic analysis of the determinants of individual retirement decisions when consumers face flexible retirement schemes. A model of induced retirement behaviour (assuming actuarially fair benefit adjustments) is developed and analysed in detail. This model is then used in the analysis of consumer groups exhibiting different characteristics relevant to their retirement decisions."--Back cover.