Why does subjective financial literacy hinder retirement saving? The mediating roles of risk tolerance and risk perception
- 30 April 2021
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Emerald in Review of Behavioral Finance
- Vol. 14 (5), 627-645
- https://doi.org/10.1108/rbf-03-2021-0036
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to examine a mechanism through which subjective financial literacy can exert negative effects on the retirement saving intention and behaviors, which has not been well understood in prior research. Particularly, the authors draw on the relevant risk literature to introduce financial risk tolerance and risk perception as important mediators that transfer subjective financial literacy into reduced retirement saving intention which in turn affects the saving behaviors. The authors test the model with a sample of 347 adults using factor analysis and structural equation modeling. Consistent with the notions about the negative side of subjective financial literacy, the authors find supporting evidence for the proposed indirect effects of financial literacy on retirement saving intention via risk tolerance and risk perception. In addition, the authors observe that an individual's retirement saving intention strongly predicts their retirement saving behaviors. The study offers insights into the mechanisms that subjective financial knowledge might also inhibit individual's responsible financial behaviors (e.g. retirement saving).Keywords
This publication has 58 references indexed in Scilit:
- Financial Literacy, Retirement Planning and Household WealthThe Economic Journal, 2012
- The role and relevance of domain knowledge, perceptions of planning importance, and risk tolerance in predicting savings intentionsJournal of Economic Psychology, 2010
- Consumer Financial Literacy and the Impact of Online Banking on the Financial Behavior of Lower‐Income Bank CustomersJournal of Consumer Affairs, 2008
- Understanding the limitations of global fit assessment in structural equation modelingPersonality and Individual Differences, 2007
- How do consumers evaluate risk in financial products?Journal of Financial Services Marketing, 2005
- An examination of college student money management tendenciesJournal of Economic Psychology, 2004
- Investment risk perceptionsInternational Journal of Bank Marketing, 2004
- Risk tolerance and asset allocation for investors nearing retirementFinancial Services Review, 2000
- Financial risk tolerance revisited: the development of a risk assessment instrument⋆Financial Services Review, 1999
- Cutoff criteria for fit indexes in covariance structure analysis: Conventional criteria versus new alternativesStructural Equation Modeling: A Multidisciplinary Journal, 1999