Job Search and Savings: Wealth Effects and Duration Dependence

A-Tier
Journal: Journal of Labor Economics
Year: 2005
Volume: 23
Issue: 3
Pages: 467-490

Authors (2)

Score contribution per author:

2.011 = (α=2.01 / 2 authors) × 2.0x A-tier

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

Abstract

This article studies a risk-averse worker's optimal savings and job search behavior as she moves back and forth between employment and unemployment. We show that job search effort is negatively related to wealth under the assumption of additively separable utility. Consequently, job search exhibits positive unemployment duration dependence because wealth is drawn down to smooth consumption as the spell progresses. Finally, given optimal search, savings still provide imperfect insurance against income fluctuations; precautionary savings are built up during employment spells and run down during unemployment spells, but the consumption path will not be perfectly smooth over states.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:ucp:jlabec:v:23:y:2005:i:3:p:467-490
Journal Field
Labor
Author Count
2
Added to Database
2026-01-25