Hetschko, C., Knabe, A. & Schöb, R. (2014) “Changing Identity: Retiring From Unemployment”, The Economic Journal, 124: 149–166, Μάρτιος.
Using German panel data, we show that unemployed people are, on average, less satisfied with their life than employed people, but they report a substantial increase in their life satisfaction upon retirement. We interpret this finding using identity theory. Retirement raises the identity utility of the unemployed because it changes the social norms they are supposed to adhere to. The social norm for people of working age prescribes that able-bodied people should be employed, whereas the social norm for the retired does not contain such expectations. Findings for various subgroups are consistent with that interpretation.
Σχετικές αναρτήσεις:
- Schwan, Alexander, Sail, Etienne, (2013), “Assessing the economic and budgetary impact of linking retirement ages and pension benefits to increases in longevity”, European Economy, Economic Papers, N. 512.
- International Monetary Fund (2014) “Fiscal Policy and Income Inequality“, IMF Policy Paper, 23 Ιανουαρίου.
- OECD (2013) “OECD Skills Outlook 2013: First results from the survey of adult skills“, Παρίσι, Οκτώβριος 2013.