Present Bias Amplifies the Household Balance-Sheet Channels of Macroeconomic Policy*

S-Tier
Journal: Quarterly Journal of Economics
Year: 2025
Volume: 140
Issue: 1
Pages: 691-743

Authors (3)

Peter Maxted (not in RePEc) David Laibson (Harvard University) Benjamin Moll (not in RePEc)

Score contribution per author:

2.681 = (α=2.01 / 3 authors) × 4.0x S-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

We study the effect of monetary and fiscal policy in a heterogeneous-agent model where households have present-biased time preferences and naive beliefs. The model features a liquid asset and illiquid home equity, which households can use as collateral for borrowing. Because present bias substantially increases households’ marginal propensity to consume (MPC), present bias increases the effect of fiscal policy. Present bias also amplifies the effect of monetary policy, but at the same time, slows down the speed of monetary transmission. Interest rate cuts incentivize households to conduct cash-out refinances, which become targeted liquidity injections to high-MPC households. Present bias also introduces a motive for households to procrastinate refinancing their mortgages, which slows down the speed with which this monetary channel operates.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:oup:qjecon:v:140:y:2025:i:1:p:691-743.
Journal Field
General
Author Count
3
Added to Database
2026-01-25