Unemployment Insurance Takeup Rates and the After-Tax Value of Benefits

S-Tier
Journal: Quarterly Journal of Economics
Year: 1997
Volume: 112
Issue: 3
Pages: 913-937

Score contribution per author:

4.022 = (α=2.01 / 2 authors) × 4.0x S-tier

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

Abstract

The recent decline in the unemployment insurance (UI) takeup rate has puzzled researchers. Using administrative data with accurate information on the potential level and duration of benefits, we examine whether a separating employee receives UI. We find a strong positive effect of the benefit level on takeup, and smaller effects of the potential duration and the tax treatment of benefits. Simulations indicate that the recent inclusion of UI in the income tax base can account for most of the previously unexplained decline in UI receipt.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:oup:qjecon:v:112:y:1997:i:3:p:913-937.
Journal Field
General
Author Count
2
Added to Database
2026-01-24