Optimal illiquidity

A-Tier
Journal: Journal of Financial Economics
Year: 2025
Volume: 165
Issue: C

Authors (6)

Beshears, John (not in RePEc) Choi, James J. (not in RePEc) Clayton, Christopher (not in RePEc) Harris, Christopher (not in RePEc) Laibson, David (Harvard University) Madrian, Brigitte C. (National Bureau of Economic Re...)

Score contribution per author:

0.670 = (α=2.01 / 6 authors) × 2.0x A-tier

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

Abstract

We study the socially optimal level of illiquidity in an economy populated by households with taste shocks and present bias with naive beliefs. The government chooses mandatory contributions to accounts, each with a different pre-retirement withdrawal penalty. Collected penalties are rebated lump sum. When households have homogeneous present bias, β, the social optimum is well approximated by a single account with an early-withdrawal penalty of 1−β. When households have heterogeneous present bias, the social optimum is well approximated by a two-account system: (i) an account that is completely liquid and (ii) an account that is completely illiquid until retirement.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:eee:jfinec:v:165:y:2025:i:c:s0304405x25000042
Journal Field
Finance
Author Count
6
Added to Database
2026-01-25