The Pension Research Council

Research Projects

Pension Roles and Functions

This work examines the role and function of pensions, both public and private, as they affect and in turn influence labor and capital markets. One major project focuses on pension reform in Chile, with Jere Behrman and Petra Todd (Univ. of Penn), as well as David Bravo (Univ. of Chile). A second examines trading patterns in US 401(k) plans, with Steve Utkus and Gary Mottola from Vanguard. A third project explores pension investment patterns in Singapore with Benedict Koh (SMU). A fourth examines civil sector pensions in Germany with Raimond Maurer (Frankfurt). Students involved in the Chile research include Jeremy Skog and Viviana Velez-Grajales; in the trading project Takeshi Yamaguchi and Ning Tang; the Singapore project Toto Tanuwidjaja and Joelle Fong; and Ralph Rogalla on the German pensions project.

Economics of Retirement and Health

This topic includes a range of projects having to do with the economics of retirement and health including financial literacy and earnings variability using the Health and Retirement Survey (HRS) project. Associates include Annamaria Lusardi (Dartmouth), John Phillips (NIA), and Beth Soldo (Univ. of Penn.).

Decumulation Plans

This research focuses on investment of pension plans, phased withdrawal and annuitization during the decumulation or distribution phase of retirement. Associates include Alex Muermann (Univ. of Penn), and Raimond Maurer (Frankfurt). Students included on the research team are Jackie Volkman, Wolfram Horneff, and Ivica Dus.