Satisfaction with Pension Provisions in the Netherlands - A Panel Data Analysis

Abstract

This paper analyzes satisfaction with aspects of pension provision of the Dutch population using longitudinal data collected between August 2006 and June 2009. It focuses on five self-reported satisfaction levels: satisfaction with the age at which the individual can retire, with the expected amount of pension income, with the knowledge about own pension provisions, with own pension provisions overall, and with the Dutch system of pensions and old age social security. It identifies the socio-economic determinants of each of these satisfaction levels such as age, gender, education, and occupational status, as well as the importance of satisfaction with aspects of pension provisions for overall satisfaction. It also looks at the association between pension satisfaction and expectations concerning future generosity of the system and opinions on how flexible a pension system should be. Moreover, the effects of the reversal of early retirement measures are investigated. Finally, it explores the consequences of the recent financial crisis for pension satisfaction.