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Economics and Finance of Aging

Leerdoel

The aging of the population raises numerous economic issues and policy questions at the level of individuals and households, for firms and financial institutions such as pension funds and insurance companies, and at the level of the national and world economy.

Broad perspectives with focus on economic aspects of aging
The MSc-programme offers a broad overview of economics (and even beyond), with a focus on aging related issues. Topics include:

To address the macro-economic and institutional issues, it is necessary to understand how incentives created by pensions and social insurance affect the behaviour of individuals and households, such as their labour force participation and their consumption and savings decisions. All developed countries are trying to improve their specific system. Understanding of the implications of the design of such systems and their consequences for all aspects of pensions, retirement, human capital and saving will be one of the main features of this MSc programme.

Programma

Micro, macro, finance, and empirical research
During this one-year programme you get a solid and broad scientific training in the macroeconomics, microeconomics and finance of aging and pensions. You get acquainted with the main issues and the relevant economic models, and learn to think through the micro-, macro- and institutional aspects and the interrelationships between these. You also learn how economic theories can be tested and economic models can be estimated empirically to establish their value for decision making by financial institutions and government policy.

Students very satisfied with this programme
Students of the MSc Economics and Finance of Aging are very satisfied with the education and lecturers of their programme. According to student evaluations in 2006-2007, students find the MSc interesting and challenging. They appreciate the interaction with the lecturers and the good support, and they value the internships.

Internship applies theory to practice
An internship* forms a unique and important element of the programme. You will write your master’s thesis based on an internship with a Dutch institution. We will arrange a suitable internship for you.
 

Based on excellent research of Netspar
The programme is based on the research of Netspar, a national network for research and education affiliated with the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration (FEB) at Tilburg University. The network stimulates research and education in the economics and finance of aging to stimulate social innovation. The partners who participate in this networkare the major Economics and Business Faculties of the Dutch universities, several ministries and other public sector organizations such as Stichting GAK , Ortec and SVB, and a number of pension funds and insurance companies in the private sector, such as ABN-AMRO, ING, ABP, PGGM, Fortis ASR, and Interpolis.
Many students do an internship at one of the partner institutions. The Netspar partners have clearly indicated that they need national and international graduates of the Msc Economics and Finance of Aging.

Toelatingseisen

A Bachelor's Degree in Economics, Econometrics and Operations Research, International Business or Business Administration suffices for entry to the programme.

If you do not meet these criteria, please make an appointment with your Academic Advisor to discuss your options.

University bachelors

A Bachelor's Degree in Economics, Econometrics and Operations Research, International Business or Business Administration suffices for entry to the programme. If you have a different degree the possibility to enter into the programme will be judged on an individual basis. A solid academic background is required in the fields of:

Beroepsperspectief en arbeidsmarkt

Financial risk management
Pension funds, insurance companies, banks, ministries, and other organisations in the field of economics need scientifically trained graduates with expert knowledge of modern economics and finance. Financial risk management has developed rapidly in recent years an pension funds such as ABP and PGGM, insurers like Fortis and Interpolis and supervisors like DNB all need people with the relevant know-how.

Labour force participation
Aging related issues play a large role in the current policy debate on labour force participation of the elderly, the sustainability of pension systems, concerns about the quality and costs of health care for an aging population, etc. Public sector institutions, such as the Netspar partners Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment and the Social Insurance Bank (SVB), are interested in economists with expertise in these issues.

International dimension
The debate about issues such as labour force participation and retirement, pension systems, health insurance and health care, has an international dimension. Many countries in Europe and elsewhere are revising their pension systems and with an integrated European market, policy measures in one country have consequences for the others. International organizations such as the EU, the ILO, but also international companies in the financial sector including Netspar partners like ING and ABN AMRO are interested in hiring economists with the expertise provided by the MSc programme Economics and Finance of Aging.

Research career
Finally, the MSc programme is a good preparation for a research-oriented career, starting with a PhD programme. Netspar provides funding for twelve PhD positions in the Netherlands in the field of Economics and Finance of Aging, Pensions and Retirement, but of course the programme also prepares for a PhD career at another university in the Netherlands, Europe, or elsewhere.

Our graduates do not have to worry about finding a job. In fact, many students were offered a job following their internship.