Today, we celebrate Netspar’s 15th birthday. Right now, just in our minds. But later this year we plan to celebrate this for real. Together with our partners, researchers and employees. For now we are concentrating on the new questions that the corona crisis poses for the pension sector. Our research continues and we share our knowledge digitally as much as possible. In this way,…

Netspar naturally takes responsibility to limit the further spread of the coronavirus as much as possible. In line with the guidelines of RIVM and Tilburg University, a number of measures are in place to this end. We strive to continue research, publications and events as much as possible. Meetings will therefore take place digitally – at least until 1 June. We make use of…

Interview with Paul Smeets (Maastricht University) Research by Paul Smeets et. al. (Maastricht University) shows that, in making financial decisions, we look at results obtained in the past in an overly positive light. “It is inadvisable to rely on your memory in making decisions. Our study shows that people have a tendency to consistently view investment results obtained in the past through rose-tinted glasses…

“2015 Reforms have not yet lead to a more efficient use of senior care” A major objective of 2015 Long-term care Reform instituted in 2015 was to enhance the fi-nancial sustainability of elderly care in the Netherlands. Expenditure growth was curtailed through financial incentives and other measures to induce a more efficient use of care. As it turns out, though, the use of nursing…

“The financial risks of nursing home care are greatest for low-income individuals” There are vast differences in the amount of coinsurance seniors have to pay for elderly care. In general, low-income care recipients spend a greater proportion of their income on coinsurance than higher-income recipients. The coinsurance rates for nursing home care, in particular, represent a financial risk for older individuals with a low…

Upon the recommendation of the PRC, the Netspar board granted funding to seven new short-term research projects. Some of the issues we will be looking into include the ethics of data science and determining participants’ attitude towards risk. In our short-term projects, sector and science work closely together on current (pension) topics, fitting within the research agenda Netspar NexT. This focuses on pension reform,…

Interview with Julian Schmied (Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research) Is a replacement rate of 70% sufficient to maintain the living standard after retirement? Or does a data-driven benchmark give a different picture of an adequate retirement income? Researchers Julian Schmied and Christian Dudel (Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research) developed an empirical approach that can provide insights into what could be an adequate…

Interview with Susan Thorp (University of Sydney) The ability to absorb financial shocks is crucial to financial well-being. However, decisiveness and engagement are generally low when it comes to financial decisions. “Financial shocks often come with illness or unemployment,” explains Australian researcher Susan Thorp (University of Sydney). “Unpleasant subjects to think about. Indecision however can cost individuals and society a lot of money. Therefore,…

One of the strengths of the Dutch pension system is the mandatory participation by workers in an industry pension fund. However, questions are being raised about the form this currently takes, whereby all the employers and employees in a particular industry partake in the same pension plan with a mandated pension fund as provider. A study into possible alternatives reveals that by making the…

Interview with Courtney Coile (NBER International Social Security Project) Researchers from twelve developed countries around the world have been working together in the NBER International Social Security Project for 25 years. Across all these countries, the researchers found that the way in which the pension system is set up largely determines the choices people make with regard to working longer. “The effect is surprisingly…