Nonparametric Evidence on the Effects of Financial Incentives on Retirement Decisions

This paper presents new evidence on the effects of retirement benefits on labor force participation decisions. The analysis is based on a mandated rule for employer-provided retirement benefits in Austria that creates discontinuities in the incentives for workers to delay retirement. The paper presents graphical evidence on labor supply responses and develops a conceptual framework that accounts for the dynamic incentive structure and for adjustment frictions. Using bunching methods, a semi-elasticity of participation is estimated, which ranges from 0.1 to 0.3 and is highest for incentives targeted at a delay in retirement by 6 to 9 months.