Exploring the contributions of concepts of time to pension studies in Hong Kong and the United Kingdom

Foster, Liam; Yu, Sam Wai Kam; Chau, Ruby Chui Man

Abstract

Purpose: This article aims to link discussions of the role of earnings-related pension measures with time in Hong Kong (HK) and the United Kingdom (UK). It presents a new conceptual “time-based framework” to explore two related types of government response to the way people accumulate pension incomes through participation in paid work. The first is to consider governments' perceptions of appropriate time in work and retirement. The second is to consider how governments use pension measures to influence the connection between the amount of time people spend in paid work and retirement. Design/methodology/approach: This is a conceptual paper. The time-based framework is developed using literature concerning discretionary time and the social construction of time. To explore the empirical significance of this framework, the authors discuss how it can be applied to the analysis of earnings-related pension measures in HK and the UK. Findings: The evidence generated from the discussion of the earnings-related pension measures in HK and the UK shows that pension policies can serve both as a financial and time instrument. At the same time as influencing the connection between the amount of time people spend in paid work and the pensions they can accumulate, pension policies can be used to convey the government's views on important time issues, namely the appropriate length of time in work and retirement, and the relative value of the time spent in paid work and providing informal care. Originality/value: A new framework is developed to explore the connection between the studies of earnings-related pension measures and time, which is an understudied area.

Citation

Foster, L., Yu, S. W. K., & Chau, R. C. M. (2023). Exploring the contributions of concepts of time to pension studies in Hong Kong and the United Kingdom. International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy, 43(9/10), 809-822. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJSSP-08-2022-0218

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Oct 21, 2022
• Online Publication Date: Nov 8, 2022
• Publication Date: Aug 22, 2023
• Deposit Date: Aug 6, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Oct 2, 2024
• Journal: International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy
• Print ISSN: 0144-333X
• Publisher: Emerald
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 43
• Issue: 9/10
• Pages: 809-822
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/IJSSP-08-2022-0218
• Keywords: Life course, Time, Retirement, Pensions, Extending working lives (EWLs)
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/25955656
• Publisher URL: https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/IJSSP-08-2022-0218/full/html
• Related Public URLs: https://eprints.whiterose.ac.uk/194807/3/pensionfinal11%20%281%29%20Time%20LF%2B%2B%2B%20for%20White%20Rose.pdf