Lump-Sum Distributions: An Update

16 Pages Posted: 16 Aug 2002

See all articles by Craig Copeland

Craig Copeland

Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI)

Abstract

An advantage of defined contribution plans is that the benefits can be retained and continue to grow when an individual changes jobs because the account balances continue to receive investments returns. However, this advantage will result in increased retirement savings only if plan participants do not cash out the benefits prior to retirement. This article assesses the likelihood that lump-sum recipients will cash out their benefit. The data clearly show that a growing percentage of retirement plan participants are holding on to all or part of their lump-sum distributions and fewer are spending their distributions on consumption. However, it was also found that approximately two-thirds of those who took a lump-sum payment cashed out at least some of it. The article concludes that more education and incentives are needed to make employees understand the importance of retaining these assets for retirement.

Keywords: Employment-based Benefits, Lump-sum Distributions

JEL Classification: D31, J26

Suggested Citation

Copeland, Craig, Lump-Sum Distributions: An Update. Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=321780

Craig Copeland (Contact Author)

Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI) ( email )

1100 13th Street, NW
Suite 878
Washington, DC 20005-4204
United States
202-775-6356 (Phone)
202-775-6312 (Fax)

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