The Decumulation (Payout) Phase of Defined Contribution Pillars : Policy Issues in the Provision of Annuities and Other Benefits

Most countries reforming their pension system, focus more on the accumulation phase, than on the decumulation (pay-out), because the number of beneficiaries is likely to be small initially, especially if older workers are discouraged from joining the new system. Policymakers place a priority on the new accumulation system being administratively efficient, and well regulated. But the decumulation phase must also be well organized, and efficient. The purpose of pension systems is, after all, to pay retirement benefits - old age, survivor, and disability pensions. The authors argue that: 1) Pay-out arrangements are likely to evolve gradually, through trial and error, as problems are discovered and tackled. 2) Adverse selection may not be as great a problem as is sometimes thought. 3) Many other annuity, and insurance market problems have yet to be solved, and policies must be formulated to make these markets work as well. The under-development of voluntary annuity markets is only partly explained by adverse selection, argue the authors. Other factors are also at work: the bequest, and precautionary motives for saving; individuals' myopia and ignorance; mistrust of insurance companies; the "luxury good" nature of annuities; tax policies that favor lump sum withdrawals; and, last but not least, public policies (such as the offer of social security pensions and the encouragement of occupational pension plans) that tend to crowd out individual annuities. The long-term success of pension reform depends on vigorous efforts to develop the insurance industry. Weak and under-developed in most developing countries, the insurance industry should play a central role in providing old age, survivor, and disability benefits. Many policy issues require careful thought, and extensive empirical analysis: Should annuitization be mandatory, and at what level? Should indexed (or "real") annuities be required? Should variable annuities be permitted, or encouraged? Should joint annuities be required? How much "group rating" and "risk classification" should be permitted?

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: James, Estelle, Vittas, Dimitri
Language:English
en_US
Published: World Bank, Washington, DC 2000-10
Subjects:AFFILIATED COMPANIES, AGENTS, ANNUITIES, ANNUITIES MARKETS, ANNUITY, BENEFICIARIES, BONDS, CONSUMERS, CONTRIBUTION RATES, CROSS SUBSIDIZATION, DEFERRED ANNUITIES, DEFINED BENEFIT PLANS, DISABILITY INSURANCE, DISABILITY PENSIONS, DISCOUNT RATES, DISCOUNTED PRESENT VALUE, EMPLOYMENT, FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS, FRAUD, GAMBLING, GROUP INSURANCE, GUARANTEED PERIOD, HOUSING, INCOME ELASTICITY, INCOME GROUPS, INDIVIDUAL ACCOUNTS, INFLATION, INSURANCE COMPANIES, INSURANCE COMPANY, INSURANCE INDUSTRY, INSURANCE MARKETS, INSURANCE PREMIUMS, INTEREST RATES, INVESTMENT PERFORMANCE, INVESTMENT RETURNS, INVESTMENT RISK, LIFE ANNUITIES, LIFE ANNUITY, LIFE EXPECTANCY, LIFE INSURANCE, LONGEVITY INSURANCE, LONGEVITY RISK, LUMP SUM WITHDRAWALS, MANDATORY RETIREMENT, MORAL HAZARD, MORAL HAZARD PROBLEM, MORTALITY TABLES, NORMAL RETIREMENT AGE, OCCUPATIONAL PENSION PLANS, OCCUPATIONAL PENSIONS, OLD AGE BENEFITS, PENSION COVERAGE, PENSION FUND, PENSION FUND MANAGEMENT, PENSION FUNDS, PENSION PLANS, PENSION REFORM, PENSION RIGHTS, PENSION SCHEMES, PENSION SYSTEM, PENSION SYSTEMS, PENSIONS, PREMIUMS, PRIVATE PENSION, PRIVATE PILLAR, PRIVATE PILLARS, PROGRAMS, PROVIDENT FUNDS, PUBLIC AGENCIES, PUBLIC PILLAR, PUBLIC POLICIES, PUBLIC SYSTEM, RESERVES, RETAIL MARKET, RETIREMENT, RETIREMENT BENEFITS, RETIREMENT SAVINGS, RISK CATEGORIES, SAVING PLANS, SAVINGS PLANS, SCHEDULED WITHDRAWALS, SECURITIES, SOCIAL POLICY, SOCIAL SECURITY, SURVIVOR BENEFITS, SURVIVOR PENSIONS, SURVIVORS BENEFITS, SURVIVORS INSURANCE, TAX RULES, THRIFT SAVINGS PLAN, UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS, UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE, VARIABLE ANNUITIES, VOLUNTARY ANNUITY MARKETS, WAGES,
Online Access:http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/2000/10/692857/decumulation-payout-phase-defined-contribution-pillars-policy-issues-provision-annuities-other-benefits
https://hdl.handle.net/10986/19781
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region America del Norte
libraryname Biblioteca del Banco Mundial
language English
en_US
topic AFFILIATED COMPANIES
AGENTS
ANNUITIES
ANNUITIES MARKETS
ANNUITY
BENEFICIARIES
BONDS
CONSUMERS
CONTRIBUTION RATES
CROSS SUBSIDIZATION
DEFERRED ANNUITIES
DEFINED BENEFIT PLANS
DISABILITY INSURANCE
DISABILITY PENSIONS
DISCOUNT RATES
DISCOUNTED PRESENT VALUE
EMPLOYMENT
FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
FRAUD
GAMBLING
GROUP INSURANCE
GUARANTEED PERIOD
HOUSING
INCOME ELASTICITY
INCOME GROUPS
INDIVIDUAL ACCOUNTS
INFLATION
INSURANCE COMPANIES
INSURANCE COMPANY
INSURANCE INDUSTRY
INSURANCE MARKETS
INSURANCE PREMIUMS
INTEREST RATES
INVESTMENT PERFORMANCE
INVESTMENT RETURNS
INVESTMENT RISK
LIFE ANNUITIES
LIFE ANNUITY
LIFE EXPECTANCY
LIFE INSURANCE
LONGEVITY INSURANCE
LONGEVITY RISK
LUMP SUM WITHDRAWALS
MANDATORY RETIREMENT
MORAL HAZARD
MORAL HAZARD PROBLEM
MORTALITY TABLES
NORMAL RETIREMENT AGE
OCCUPATIONAL PENSION PLANS
OCCUPATIONAL PENSIONS
OLD AGE BENEFITS
PENSION COVERAGE
PENSION FUND
PENSION FUND MANAGEMENT
PENSION FUNDS
PENSION PLANS
PENSION REFORM
PENSION RIGHTS
PENSION SCHEMES
PENSION SYSTEM
PENSION SYSTEMS
PENSIONS
PREMIUMS
PRIVATE PENSION
PRIVATE PILLAR
PRIVATE PILLARS
PROGRAMS
PROVIDENT FUNDS
PUBLIC AGENCIES
PUBLIC PILLAR
PUBLIC POLICIES
PUBLIC SYSTEM
RESERVES
RETAIL MARKET
RETIREMENT
RETIREMENT BENEFITS
RETIREMENT SAVINGS
RISK CATEGORIES
SAVING PLANS
SAVINGS PLANS
SCHEDULED WITHDRAWALS
SECURITIES
SOCIAL POLICY
SOCIAL SECURITY
SURVIVOR BENEFITS
SURVIVOR PENSIONS
SURVIVORS BENEFITS
SURVIVORS INSURANCE
TAX RULES
THRIFT SAVINGS PLAN
UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS
UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE
VARIABLE ANNUITIES
VOLUNTARY ANNUITY MARKETS
WAGES
AFFILIATED COMPANIES
AGENTS
ANNUITIES
ANNUITIES MARKETS
ANNUITY
BENEFICIARIES
BONDS
CONSUMERS
CONTRIBUTION RATES
CROSS SUBSIDIZATION
DEFERRED ANNUITIES
DEFINED BENEFIT PLANS
DISABILITY INSURANCE
DISABILITY PENSIONS
DISCOUNT RATES
DISCOUNTED PRESENT VALUE
EMPLOYMENT
FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
FRAUD
GAMBLING
GROUP INSURANCE
GUARANTEED PERIOD
HOUSING
INCOME ELASTICITY
INCOME GROUPS
INDIVIDUAL ACCOUNTS
INFLATION
INSURANCE COMPANIES
INSURANCE COMPANY
INSURANCE INDUSTRY
INSURANCE MARKETS
INSURANCE PREMIUMS
INTEREST RATES
INVESTMENT PERFORMANCE
INVESTMENT RETURNS
INVESTMENT RISK
LIFE ANNUITIES
LIFE ANNUITY
LIFE EXPECTANCY
LIFE INSURANCE
LONGEVITY INSURANCE
LONGEVITY RISK
LUMP SUM WITHDRAWALS
MANDATORY RETIREMENT
MORAL HAZARD
MORAL HAZARD PROBLEM
MORTALITY TABLES
NORMAL RETIREMENT AGE
OCCUPATIONAL PENSION PLANS
OCCUPATIONAL PENSIONS
OLD AGE BENEFITS
PENSION COVERAGE
PENSION FUND
PENSION FUND MANAGEMENT
PENSION FUNDS
PENSION PLANS
PENSION REFORM
PENSION RIGHTS
PENSION SCHEMES
PENSION SYSTEM
PENSION SYSTEMS
PENSIONS
PREMIUMS
PRIVATE PENSION
PRIVATE PILLAR
PRIVATE PILLARS
PROGRAMS
PROVIDENT FUNDS
PUBLIC AGENCIES
PUBLIC PILLAR
PUBLIC POLICIES
PUBLIC SYSTEM
RESERVES
RETAIL MARKET
RETIREMENT
RETIREMENT BENEFITS
RETIREMENT SAVINGS
RISK CATEGORIES
SAVING PLANS
SAVINGS PLANS
SCHEDULED WITHDRAWALS
SECURITIES
SOCIAL POLICY
SOCIAL SECURITY
SURVIVOR BENEFITS
SURVIVOR PENSIONS
SURVIVORS BENEFITS
SURVIVORS INSURANCE
TAX RULES
THRIFT SAVINGS PLAN
UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS
UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE
VARIABLE ANNUITIES
VOLUNTARY ANNUITY MARKETS
WAGES
spellingShingle AFFILIATED COMPANIES
AGENTS
ANNUITIES
ANNUITIES MARKETS
ANNUITY
BENEFICIARIES
BONDS
CONSUMERS
CONTRIBUTION RATES
CROSS SUBSIDIZATION
DEFERRED ANNUITIES
DEFINED BENEFIT PLANS
DISABILITY INSURANCE
DISABILITY PENSIONS
DISCOUNT RATES
DISCOUNTED PRESENT VALUE
EMPLOYMENT
FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
FRAUD
GAMBLING
GROUP INSURANCE
GUARANTEED PERIOD
HOUSING
INCOME ELASTICITY
INCOME GROUPS
INDIVIDUAL ACCOUNTS
INFLATION
INSURANCE COMPANIES
INSURANCE COMPANY
INSURANCE INDUSTRY
INSURANCE MARKETS
INSURANCE PREMIUMS
INTEREST RATES
INVESTMENT PERFORMANCE
INVESTMENT RETURNS
INVESTMENT RISK
LIFE ANNUITIES
LIFE ANNUITY
LIFE EXPECTANCY
LIFE INSURANCE
LONGEVITY INSURANCE
LONGEVITY RISK
LUMP SUM WITHDRAWALS
MANDATORY RETIREMENT
MORAL HAZARD
MORAL HAZARD PROBLEM
MORTALITY TABLES
NORMAL RETIREMENT AGE
OCCUPATIONAL PENSION PLANS
OCCUPATIONAL PENSIONS
OLD AGE BENEFITS
PENSION COVERAGE
PENSION FUND
PENSION FUND MANAGEMENT
PENSION FUNDS
PENSION PLANS
PENSION REFORM
PENSION RIGHTS
PENSION SCHEMES
PENSION SYSTEM
PENSION SYSTEMS
PENSIONS
PREMIUMS
PRIVATE PENSION
PRIVATE PILLAR
PRIVATE PILLARS
PROGRAMS
PROVIDENT FUNDS
PUBLIC AGENCIES
PUBLIC PILLAR
PUBLIC POLICIES
PUBLIC SYSTEM
RESERVES
RETAIL MARKET
RETIREMENT
RETIREMENT BENEFITS
RETIREMENT SAVINGS
RISK CATEGORIES
SAVING PLANS
SAVINGS PLANS
SCHEDULED WITHDRAWALS
SECURITIES
SOCIAL POLICY
SOCIAL SECURITY
SURVIVOR BENEFITS
SURVIVOR PENSIONS
SURVIVORS BENEFITS
SURVIVORS INSURANCE
TAX RULES
THRIFT SAVINGS PLAN
UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS
UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE
VARIABLE ANNUITIES
VOLUNTARY ANNUITY MARKETS
WAGES
AFFILIATED COMPANIES
AGENTS
ANNUITIES
ANNUITIES MARKETS
ANNUITY
BENEFICIARIES
BONDS
CONSUMERS
CONTRIBUTION RATES
CROSS SUBSIDIZATION
DEFERRED ANNUITIES
DEFINED BENEFIT PLANS
DISABILITY INSURANCE
DISABILITY PENSIONS
DISCOUNT RATES
DISCOUNTED PRESENT VALUE
EMPLOYMENT
FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
FRAUD
GAMBLING
GROUP INSURANCE
GUARANTEED PERIOD
HOUSING
INCOME ELASTICITY
INCOME GROUPS
INDIVIDUAL ACCOUNTS
INFLATION
INSURANCE COMPANIES
INSURANCE COMPANY
INSURANCE INDUSTRY
INSURANCE MARKETS
INSURANCE PREMIUMS
INTEREST RATES
INVESTMENT PERFORMANCE
INVESTMENT RETURNS
INVESTMENT RISK
LIFE ANNUITIES
LIFE ANNUITY
LIFE EXPECTANCY
LIFE INSURANCE
LONGEVITY INSURANCE
LONGEVITY RISK
LUMP SUM WITHDRAWALS
MANDATORY RETIREMENT
MORAL HAZARD
MORAL HAZARD PROBLEM
MORTALITY TABLES
NORMAL RETIREMENT AGE
OCCUPATIONAL PENSION PLANS
OCCUPATIONAL PENSIONS
OLD AGE BENEFITS
PENSION COVERAGE
PENSION FUND
PENSION FUND MANAGEMENT
PENSION FUNDS
PENSION PLANS
PENSION REFORM
PENSION RIGHTS
PENSION SCHEMES
PENSION SYSTEM
PENSION SYSTEMS
PENSIONS
PREMIUMS
PRIVATE PENSION
PRIVATE PILLAR
PRIVATE PILLARS
PROGRAMS
PROVIDENT FUNDS
PUBLIC AGENCIES
PUBLIC PILLAR
PUBLIC POLICIES
PUBLIC SYSTEM
RESERVES
RETAIL MARKET
RETIREMENT
RETIREMENT BENEFITS
RETIREMENT SAVINGS
RISK CATEGORIES
SAVING PLANS
SAVINGS PLANS
SCHEDULED WITHDRAWALS
SECURITIES
SOCIAL POLICY
SOCIAL SECURITY
SURVIVOR BENEFITS
SURVIVOR PENSIONS
SURVIVORS BENEFITS
SURVIVORS INSURANCE
TAX RULES
THRIFT SAVINGS PLAN
UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS
UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE
VARIABLE ANNUITIES
VOLUNTARY ANNUITY MARKETS
WAGES
James, Estelle
Vittas, Dimitri
The Decumulation (Payout) Phase of Defined Contribution Pillars : Policy Issues in the Provision of Annuities and Other Benefits
description Most countries reforming their pension system, focus more on the accumulation phase, than on the decumulation (pay-out), because the number of beneficiaries is likely to be small initially, especially if older workers are discouraged from joining the new system. Policymakers place a priority on the new accumulation system being administratively efficient, and well regulated. But the decumulation phase must also be well organized, and efficient. The purpose of pension systems is, after all, to pay retirement benefits - old age, survivor, and disability pensions. The authors argue that: 1) Pay-out arrangements are likely to evolve gradually, through trial and error, as problems are discovered and tackled. 2) Adverse selection may not be as great a problem as is sometimes thought. 3) Many other annuity, and insurance market problems have yet to be solved, and policies must be formulated to make these markets work as well. The under-development of voluntary annuity markets is only partly explained by adverse selection, argue the authors. Other factors are also at work: the bequest, and precautionary motives for saving; individuals' myopia and ignorance; mistrust of insurance companies; the "luxury good" nature of annuities; tax policies that favor lump sum withdrawals; and, last but not least, public policies (such as the offer of social security pensions and the encouragement of occupational pension plans) that tend to crowd out individual annuities. The long-term success of pension reform depends on vigorous efforts to develop the insurance industry. Weak and under-developed in most developing countries, the insurance industry should play a central role in providing old age, survivor, and disability benefits. Many policy issues require careful thought, and extensive empirical analysis: Should annuitization be mandatory, and at what level? Should indexed (or "real") annuities be required? Should variable annuities be permitted, or encouraged? Should joint annuities be required? How much "group rating" and "risk classification" should be permitted?
topic_facet AFFILIATED COMPANIES
AGENTS
ANNUITIES
ANNUITIES MARKETS
ANNUITY
BENEFICIARIES
BONDS
CONSUMERS
CONTRIBUTION RATES
CROSS SUBSIDIZATION
DEFERRED ANNUITIES
DEFINED BENEFIT PLANS
DISABILITY INSURANCE
DISABILITY PENSIONS
DISCOUNT RATES
DISCOUNTED PRESENT VALUE
EMPLOYMENT
FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
FRAUD
GAMBLING
GROUP INSURANCE
GUARANTEED PERIOD
HOUSING
INCOME ELASTICITY
INCOME GROUPS
INDIVIDUAL ACCOUNTS
INFLATION
INSURANCE COMPANIES
INSURANCE COMPANY
INSURANCE INDUSTRY
INSURANCE MARKETS
INSURANCE PREMIUMS
INTEREST RATES
INVESTMENT PERFORMANCE
INVESTMENT RETURNS
INVESTMENT RISK
LIFE ANNUITIES
LIFE ANNUITY
LIFE EXPECTANCY
LIFE INSURANCE
LONGEVITY INSURANCE
LONGEVITY RISK
LUMP SUM WITHDRAWALS
MANDATORY RETIREMENT
MORAL HAZARD
MORAL HAZARD PROBLEM
MORTALITY TABLES
NORMAL RETIREMENT AGE
OCCUPATIONAL PENSION PLANS
OCCUPATIONAL PENSIONS
OLD AGE BENEFITS
PENSION COVERAGE
PENSION FUND
PENSION FUND MANAGEMENT
PENSION FUNDS
PENSION PLANS
PENSION REFORM
PENSION RIGHTS
PENSION SCHEMES
PENSION SYSTEM
PENSION SYSTEMS
PENSIONS
PREMIUMS
PRIVATE PENSION
PRIVATE PILLAR
PRIVATE PILLARS
PROGRAMS
PROVIDENT FUNDS
PUBLIC AGENCIES
PUBLIC PILLAR
PUBLIC POLICIES
PUBLIC SYSTEM
RESERVES
RETAIL MARKET
RETIREMENT
RETIREMENT BENEFITS
RETIREMENT SAVINGS
RISK CATEGORIES
SAVING PLANS
SAVINGS PLANS
SCHEDULED WITHDRAWALS
SECURITIES
SOCIAL POLICY
SOCIAL SECURITY
SURVIVOR BENEFITS
SURVIVOR PENSIONS
SURVIVORS BENEFITS
SURVIVORS INSURANCE
TAX RULES
THRIFT SAVINGS PLAN
UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS
UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE
VARIABLE ANNUITIES
VOLUNTARY ANNUITY MARKETS
WAGES
author James, Estelle
Vittas, Dimitri
author_facet James, Estelle
Vittas, Dimitri
author_sort James, Estelle
title The Decumulation (Payout) Phase of Defined Contribution Pillars : Policy Issues in the Provision of Annuities and Other Benefits
title_short The Decumulation (Payout) Phase of Defined Contribution Pillars : Policy Issues in the Provision of Annuities and Other Benefits
title_full The Decumulation (Payout) Phase of Defined Contribution Pillars : Policy Issues in the Provision of Annuities and Other Benefits
title_fullStr The Decumulation (Payout) Phase of Defined Contribution Pillars : Policy Issues in the Provision of Annuities and Other Benefits
title_full_unstemmed The Decumulation (Payout) Phase of Defined Contribution Pillars : Policy Issues in the Provision of Annuities and Other Benefits
title_sort decumulation (payout) phase of defined contribution pillars : policy issues in the provision of annuities and other benefits
publisher World Bank, Washington, DC
publishDate 2000-10
url http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/2000/10/692857/decumulation-payout-phase-defined-contribution-pillars-policy-issues-provision-annuities-other-benefits
https://hdl.handle.net/10986/19781
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spelling dig-okr-10986197812024-08-08T18:08:23Z The Decumulation (Payout) Phase of Defined Contribution Pillars : Policy Issues in the Provision of Annuities and Other Benefits James, Estelle Vittas, Dimitri AFFILIATED COMPANIES AGENTS ANNUITIES ANNUITIES MARKETS ANNUITY BENEFICIARIES BONDS CONSUMERS CONTRIBUTION RATES CROSS SUBSIDIZATION DEFERRED ANNUITIES DEFINED BENEFIT PLANS DISABILITY INSURANCE DISABILITY PENSIONS DISCOUNT RATES DISCOUNTED PRESENT VALUE EMPLOYMENT FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS FRAUD GAMBLING GROUP INSURANCE GUARANTEED PERIOD HOUSING INCOME ELASTICITY INCOME GROUPS INDIVIDUAL ACCOUNTS INFLATION INSURANCE COMPANIES INSURANCE COMPANY INSURANCE INDUSTRY INSURANCE MARKETS INSURANCE PREMIUMS INTEREST RATES INVESTMENT PERFORMANCE INVESTMENT RETURNS INVESTMENT RISK LIFE ANNUITIES LIFE ANNUITY LIFE EXPECTANCY LIFE INSURANCE LONGEVITY INSURANCE LONGEVITY RISK LUMP SUM WITHDRAWALS MANDATORY RETIREMENT MORAL HAZARD MORAL HAZARD PROBLEM MORTALITY TABLES NORMAL RETIREMENT AGE OCCUPATIONAL PENSION PLANS OCCUPATIONAL PENSIONS OLD AGE BENEFITS PENSION COVERAGE PENSION FUND PENSION FUND MANAGEMENT PENSION FUNDS PENSION PLANS PENSION REFORM PENSION RIGHTS PENSION SCHEMES PENSION SYSTEM PENSION SYSTEMS PENSIONS PREMIUMS PRIVATE PENSION PRIVATE PILLAR PRIVATE PILLARS PROGRAMS PROVIDENT FUNDS PUBLIC AGENCIES PUBLIC PILLAR PUBLIC POLICIES PUBLIC SYSTEM RESERVES RETAIL MARKET RETIREMENT RETIREMENT BENEFITS RETIREMENT SAVINGS RISK CATEGORIES SAVING PLANS SAVINGS PLANS SCHEDULED WITHDRAWALS SECURITIES SOCIAL POLICY SOCIAL SECURITY SURVIVOR BENEFITS SURVIVOR PENSIONS SURVIVORS BENEFITS SURVIVORS INSURANCE TAX RULES THRIFT SAVINGS PLAN UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE VARIABLE ANNUITIES VOLUNTARY ANNUITY MARKETS WAGES Most countries reforming their pension system, focus more on the accumulation phase, than on the decumulation (pay-out), because the number of beneficiaries is likely to be small initially, especially if older workers are discouraged from joining the new system. Policymakers place a priority on the new accumulation system being administratively efficient, and well regulated. But the decumulation phase must also be well organized, and efficient. The purpose of pension systems is, after all, to pay retirement benefits - old age, survivor, and disability pensions. The authors argue that: 1) Pay-out arrangements are likely to evolve gradually, through trial and error, as problems are discovered and tackled. 2) Adverse selection may not be as great a problem as is sometimes thought. 3) Many other annuity, and insurance market problems have yet to be solved, and policies must be formulated to make these markets work as well. The under-development of voluntary annuity markets is only partly explained by adverse selection, argue the authors. Other factors are also at work: the bequest, and precautionary motives for saving; individuals' myopia and ignorance; mistrust of insurance companies; the "luxury good" nature of annuities; tax policies that favor lump sum withdrawals; and, last but not least, public policies (such as the offer of social security pensions and the encouragement of occupational pension plans) that tend to crowd out individual annuities. The long-term success of pension reform depends on vigorous efforts to develop the insurance industry. Weak and under-developed in most developing countries, the insurance industry should play a central role in providing old age, survivor, and disability benefits. Many policy issues require careful thought, and extensive empirical analysis: Should annuitization be mandatory, and at what level? Should indexed (or "real") annuities be required? Should variable annuities be permitted, or encouraged? Should joint annuities be required? How much "group rating" and "risk classification" should be permitted? 2014-08-27T20:26:45Z 2014-08-27T20:26:45Z 2000-10 http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/2000/10/692857/decumulation-payout-phase-defined-contribution-pillars-policy-issues-provision-annuities-other-benefits https://hdl.handle.net/10986/19781 English en_US Policy Research Working Paper;No. 2464 CC BY 3.0 IGO http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/igo/ application/pdf text/plain World Bank, Washington, DC