Target-driven investing: Optimal investment strategies in defined contribution pension plans under loss aversion

B-Tier
Journal: Journal of Economic Dynamics and Control
Year: 2013
Volume: 37
Issue: 1
Pages: 195-209

Authors (3)

Blake, David (City University) Wright, Douglas (not in RePEc) Zhang, Yumeng (not in RePEc)

Score contribution per author:

0.670 = (α=2.01 / 3 authors) × 1.0x B-tier

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

Abstract

Assuming the loss aversion framework of Tversky and Kahneman (1992), stochastic investment and labour income processes, and a path-dependent fund target, we show that the optimal investment strategy for defined contribution pension plan members is a target-driven ‘threshold’ strategy, whereby the equity allocation is increased if the accumulating fund is below target and is decreased if it is above. However, if the fund is sufficiently above target, the optimal investment strategy switches to ‘portfolio insurance’. We show that the risk of failing to attain the target replacement ratio is significantly lower with target-driven strategies than with those associated with the maximisation of expected utility.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:eee:dyncon:v:37:y:2013:i:1:p:195-209
Journal Field
Macro
Author Count
3
Added to Database
2026-01-24