Choice Architecture and the Pension System in the Czech Republic

This thesis analyzes the influence of behavioral economics on a pension system. The research was performed in order to compare Czech and Swedish pension plans from behavioral economics' point of view. Survey logistic regression was applied to analyze the differences and similarities in the opinions of Czech and Swedish citizens. Data used for the analysis were obtained from Eurobarometer 76.2 (2011). The results show that both nations have similar opinions regarding basic questions about pension. Yet, regardless the fact, that both nations support the idea of elder people delaying the retirement, the number of employed Czech seniors is sustainably lower, than the same number for Swedish elder residents. This supports the idea that Swedish pension plan, to which policymakers had applied some behavioral economics' principles, is doing better than Czech scheme in maximizing employment. Therefore, in fulfilling one of the retirement policy's main goals. And proves, that people can be influenced to postpone the retirement. Furthermore, the analysis shows that people tend to have unrealistic expectations and consequently cannot evaluate some situations correctly, and need to be given a "nudge" to prevent unwelcome impact on an individual's life and on a whole country's economy