Job Tenure and Pension Coverage

CRR Working Paper No. 2006-18

39 Pages Posted: 21 Nov 2008

See all articles by Alicia H. Munnell

Alicia H. Munnell

Boston College - Center for Retirement Research

Kelly Haverstick

Boston College - Center for Retirement Research

Geoffrey Sanzenbacher

Boston College Economics Department

Date Written: October 2006

Abstract

Commentators constantly cite an increase in labor mobility as a major reason for the shift in the private sector from defined benefit to defined contribution plans. But while most casual observers accept such a phenomenon, economists have been hard pressed to find any significant change over time. Only in recent years have the data indicated that mobility might have increased for some groups. This pattern suggests that the advent of 401(k) plans led to an increase in mobility rather than an increase in mobility leading to the proliferation of 401(k)s. This paper attempts to sort out this "chicken and egg" issue using data from the Current Population Survey (CPS) and the 1984 through 2001 panels of the Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP).

Suggested Citation

Munnell, Alicia and Haverstick, Kelly and Sanzenbacher, Geoffrey, Job Tenure and Pension Coverage (October 2006). CRR Working Paper No. 2006-18, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1304714 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1304714

Alicia Munnell (Contact Author)

Boston College - Center for Retirement Research ( email )

Fulton Hall 550
Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
United States
617-552-1762 (Phone)

Kelly Haverstick

Boston College - Center for Retirement Research ( email )

Fulton Hall 550
Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
United States

Geoffrey Sanzenbacher

Boston College Economics Department ( email )

United States