Pension Plan Types and Social Security Knowledge: New Survey Evidence

Knowledge of the Social Security Old-Age and Survivors Insurance program affects people's work, consumption, and savings decisions before retirement and in turn impacts financial well-being in retirement. This study examines whether the type of employer-sponsored pension is associated with varying levels of Social Security knowledge using data from the Understanding America Study. Results indicate that people with various pension types are consistently more knowledgeable about disability benefits, age adjustment, claiming upon retirement, and spousal benefits, relative to pensionless individuals. Interventions to enhance Social Security knowledge may benefit from targeting the most financially vulnerable individuals, particularly women without a pension, for enhanced retirement security.