Consumption over the Life Cycle: The Role of Annuities

B-Tier
Journal: Review of Economic Dynamics
Year: 2008
Volume: 11
Issue: 3
Pages: 566-583

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 explore the quantitative implications of uncertainty about the length of life and a lack of annuity markets for life cycle consumption in a general equilibrium overlapping generations model in which markets are otherwise complete. Empirical studies find that consumption displays a hump shape over the life cycle. Our model exhibits life cycle consumption that is consistent with this pattern. Our calibrated model, which includes an unfunded social security system, displays a hump shape but the peak occurs later in the life cycle than in the data. Adding a bequest motive causes this decline to begin at a younger age. (Copyright: Elsevier)

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:red:issued:06-155
Journal Field
Macro
Author Count
2
Added to Database
2026-01-25