Abstract

This study focuses on factors related to an older worker's decision to accept a pension and on how this influences subsequent market work. A life-cycle model is used which emphasizes the asset nature of the pension decision and in particular includes changes in potential earnings streams due to the work restrictions imposed by a pension. The empirical results show that the timing of acceptance of a pension depends upon the actuarial value of the plan at different ages, not on payments in any one year. While health affects the pension decision, voluntary economic decision variables play a major role in the timing of pension acceptance for both the healthy and those in ill health.