Shifting the Pension Mix: Consequences for Dutch and Danish Women

Abstract

All European countries are aiming to reform their pension systems in line with two conceptual ideas: firstly, that systems should combine public, occupational and private pensions; secondly, that entitlements should be individualized. The Dutch and the Danish pension systems already consist of these three different pensions with relatively individualized entitlements and in a way form an ideal type of pension system. However, these systems are far from ideal since they are deeply gender biased. The positive effects of citizenship‐based state pensions conceal the negative ones. In addition, recent developments in the combination of the pension schemes counteract the positive effects. Given the male‐oriented norm when it comes to full pension entitlements, and given the fact that life courses are still gendered, these countries’ systems and developments have negative effects for women.

Women’s Retirement Intentions and Behavior: The Role of Childbearing and Marital Histories

“…Furthermore, the specific character of the Dutch pension system might limit the generalizability of the findings to other countries (see for discussions on gender and pension systems Frericks et al 2006;Ginn et al 2001;Jefferson 2009). Third, the marital and work history variables were based on rather broad retrospective questions.…”

Family Histories and Women's Retirement: The Role of Childbearing and Marital Experiences

“…Furthermore, the specific character of the Dutch pension system might limit the generalizability of the findings to other countries (see for discussions on gender and pension systems Frericks et al 2006;Ginn et al 2001;Jefferson 2009). Second, the marital and work history variables were based on rather broad retrospective questions.…”

Women and Retirement Pensions: A Research Review

“…In a comparative study of Denmark and the Netherlands, Frericks, Maier and de Graaf (2006) conclude that relatively better childcare facilities in Denmark contribute to observed benefits for women's access to pension coverage. In Denmark, childcare facilities are guaranteed for children from the age of 1 year, while thirty-two weeks of mandated parental leave is available and may be extended by agreement with an employer.…”

“…Parental leave entitles the person to up to thirty-two weeks of unemployment benefits, and women usually take leave because it represents a lower loss of earnings than is the case for many men. Thus, Frericks, Maier, and Graaf (2006) argue that while Denmark's childcare facilities compare favorably with the Netherlands, the costs of having children remain gender-biased, with women more likely to experience both low earnings and broken patterns of labor-market participation. The authors have also identified lower access to childcare facilities in the Netherlands as a crucial issue for Dutch mothers' capacity to successfully accumulate occupational pension entitlements (Frericks, Maier, and de Graaf 2006).…”

“…4 In the Netherlands, basic pensions of 70 percent of the statutory minimum wage are paid to single person households, while cohabitating heterosexual and homosexual couples can receive 50 percent each of the minimum wage (Karina Anthony and Talina Drabsch 2006). Denmark also has a basic pension that can be increased via a means-tested supplement, with 64 percent of pensioners receiving the full supplement (Patricia Frericks, Robert Maier, and Willibrord de Graaf 2006). New Zealand's superannuation is taxable and paid at 67 percent of the net average wage for a married, civil union, or cohabitating heterosexual or homosexual couple (Susan St. John and Larry Willmore 2001).…”