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Research ArticleArticles

Bargaining with Grandma: The Impact of the South African Pension on Household Decision Making

Kate Ambler
Published online before print November 30, 2015, DOI: https://doi.org/10.3368/jhr.51.4.0314-6265R1
Kate Ambler
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Abstract

I examine how an exogenous change in individual income affects decision making in the household. Using the age discontinuity in eligibility for the South African pension, I find that eligible women are 15 percentage points more likely to be the primary decision maker in the household than non-eligible women. This corresponds with a large increase in their share of household income. There are no parallel effects for men. Due to labor force withdrawal, male income does not increase with eligibility, suggesting that their status in the household is unchanged.

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Journal of Human Resources: 60 (3)
Journal of Human Resources
Vol. 60, Issue 3
1 May 2025
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Bargaining with Grandma: The Impact of the South African Pension on Household Decision Making
Kate Ambler
Journal of Human Resources Nov 2015, DOI: 10.3368/jhr.51.4.0314-6265R1

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Bargaining with Grandma: The Impact of the South African Pension on Household Decision Making
Kate Ambler
Journal of Human Resources Nov 2015, DOI: 10.3368/jhr.51.4.0314-6265R1
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