Score contribution per author:
α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count
This paper examines the impact of changes in social security benefits on aggregate consumption expenditure. Under the null hypothesis, there should be no contemporaneous effect at the monthly frequency because increases in benefits have always been announced at least six weeks prior to payment. The paper develops overwhelming evidence--contrary to the null--that benefits have affected aggregate spending. The results have strong implications for several important issues, including Ricardian equivalence, government policy irrelevance, and the excess sensitivity of consumption to changes in income. Copyright 1989 by University of Chicago Press.