Getting Life Expectancy Estimates Right for Pension Policy: Period Versus Cohort Approach
32 Pages Posted: 21 Feb 2019
There are 2 versions of this paper
Getting Life Expectancy Estimates Right for Pension Policy: Period Versus Cohort Approach
Getting Life Expectancy Estimates Right for Pension Policy: Period Versus Cohort Approach
Date Written: 2018
Abstract
In many policy areas it is essential to use the best estimates of life expectancy, but it is vital to most areas of pension policy. This paper presents the conceptual differences between static period and dynamic cohort mortality tables, estimates the differences in life expectancy for Portugal and Spain, and compares official estimates of both life expectancy estimates for Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States for 1981, 2010, and 2060. These comparisons reveal major differences between period and cohort life expectancy in and between countries and across years. The implications of using wrong estimates for pension policy, including financial sustainability, are explored.
Keywords: cross-country comparison, Lee-Carter, life expectancy indexation, balancing mechanism
JEL Classification: G220, H550, J140
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation