Earnings Inequality and Other Determinants of Wealth Inequality

S-Tier
Journal: American Economic Review
Year: 2017
Volume: 107
Issue: 5
Pages: 593-97

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 relation between the distribution of labor earnings and the distribution of wealth. We show, theoretically as well as empirically, that while labor earnings and precautionary savings are important determinants of wealth inequality factors, they cannot by themselves account for the thick tail of (the large top shares in) the observed distribution of wealth. Other determinants, like stochastic returns to wealth, as well as savings rates and rates of returns increasing in wealth, need to be accounted for.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:aea:aecrev:v:107:y:2017:i:5:p:593-97
Journal Field
General
Author Count
3
Added to Database
2026-01-24