The Effect of the Social Security Earnings Test on Male Labor Supply: New Evidence from Survey and Administrative Data

A-Tier
Journal: Journal of Human Resources
Year: 2008
Volume: 43
Issue: 1

Authors (2)

Steven J. Haider (Michigan State University) David S. Loughran (not in RePEc)

Score contribution per author:

2.011 = (α=2.01 / 2 authors) × 2.0x A-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

Despite numerous empirical studies, there is surprisingly little agreement about whether the Social Security earnings test affects male labor supply. In this paper, we provide a comprehensive analysis of the labor supply effects of the earnings test using longitudinal administrative earnings data and more commonly used survey data. We find that the response to the earnings test in survey data is obfuscated by measurement error and labor market rigidities. Accounting for these factors, our results suggest a consistent and substantial response to the earnings test, especially for younger men.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:uwp:jhriss:v:43:y:2008:i:1:p57-87
Journal Field
Labor
Author Count
2
Added to Database
2026-01-25