Pensions and intergenerational risk-sharing in general equilibrium

Abstract

We investigate intergenerational risk-sharing in two-pillar pension systems with a pay-as-you-go pillar and a funded pillar. The funded pension pillar can be either defined contribution or defined benefit. Only a defined-benefit scheme with an appropriate investment policy establishes optimal intergenerational risk-sharing. We show how the pension system affects capital markets in general and the equity premium in particular. © 2009 The London School of Economics and Political Science.