Debt Maturity: Is Long‐Term Debt Optimal?

B-Tier
Journal: Review of International Economics
Year: 2009
Volume: 17
Issue: 5
Pages: 890-905

Score contribution per author:

1.005 = (α=2.01 / 2 authors) × 1.0x B-tier

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

Abstract

We model and calibrate the arguments in favor and against short‐term and long‐term debt. These arguments broadly include: maturity premium, sustainability, and service smoothing. We use a dynamic‐equilibrium model with tax distortions and government outlays uncertainty, and model maturity as the fraction of debt that needs to be rolled over every period. In the model, the benefits of defaulting are tempered by higher future interest rates. We then calibrate our artificial economy and solve for the optimal debt maturity for Brazil as an example of a developing country and the US as an example of a mature economy. We obtain that the calibrated costs from defaulting on long‐term debt more than offset costs associated with short‐term debt. Therefore, short‐term debt implies higher welfare levels.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:bla:reviec:v:17:y:2009:i:5:p:890-905
Journal Field
International
Author Count
2
Added to Database
2026-01-24