Appreciated but Complicated Pension Choices? Insights from the Swedish Premium Pension System

Abstract

We analyze preferences and beliefs of members in a DC pension scheme from Sweden, one of the first countries that launched choice-based funded individual pension accounts. Based on a survey among 2,646 members, we study the effect of choice overload, risk tolerance, and subjective knowledge on choice behavior and financial well-being. We find that more risk-averse and less knowledgeable members tend to invest in the default fund – a fund that is, however, one of the riskiest options on the choice menu. On top of this mismatch between members’ risk preferences and their investment choices, we find those members are more likely to feel negative about their future financial well-being. We also find a positive correlation between financial well-being and choice appreciation, whereas the act of choosing a fund has only minor impact.