Pay Me Later: Savings Constraints and the Demand for Deferred Payments

S-Tier
Journal: American Economic Review
Year: 2021
Volume: 111
Issue: 7
Pages: 2179-2212

Authors (3)

Lasse Brune (not in RePEc) Eric Chyn (not in RePEc) Jason Kerwin (Massachusetts Institute of Tec...)

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 a simple savings scheme that allows workers to defer receipt of part of their wages for three months at zero interest. The scheme significantly increases savings during the deferral period, leading to higher postdisbursement spending on lumpy goods. Two years later, after two additional rounds of the savings scheme, we find that treated workers have made permanent improvements to their homes. The popularity of the scheme implies a lack of good alternative savings options. The results of a follow-up experiment suggest that demand for the scheme is partly due to its ability to address self-control issues.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:aea:aecrev:v:111:y:2021:i:7:p:2179-2212
Journal Field
General
Author Count
3
Added to Database
2026-01-25