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Markowitz’s mean–variance defined contribution pension fund management under inflation: A continuous-time model

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  • Yao, Haixiang
  • Yang, Zhou
  • Chen, Ping

Abstract

In defined contribution (DC) pension schemes, the financial risk borne by the member occurs during the accumulation phase. To build up sufficient funds for retirement, scheme members invest their wealth in a portfolio of assets. This paper considers an optimal investment problem of a scheme member facing stochastic inflation under the Markowitz mean–variance criterion. Besides, we consider a more general market with multiple assets that can all be risky. By applying the Lagrange method and stochastic dynamic programming techniques, we derive the associated Hamilton–Jacobi–Bellman (HJB) equation, which can be converted into six correlated but relatively simple partial differential equations (PDEs). The explicit solutions for these six PDEs are derived by using the homogenization approach and the variable transformation technique. Then the closed-form expressions for the optimal strategy and the efficient frontier can be obtained through the Lagrange dual theory. In addition, we illustrate the results by some numerical examples.

Suggested Citation

  • Yao, Haixiang & Yang, Zhou & Chen, Ping, 2013. "Markowitz’s mean–variance defined contribution pension fund management under inflation: A continuous-time model," Insurance: Mathematics and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 53(3), pages 851-863.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:insuma:v:53:y:2013:i:3:p:851-863
    DOI: 10.1016/j.insmatheco.2013.10.002
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    5. Li, Yuying & Forsyth, Peter A., 2019. "A data-driven neural network approach to optimal asset allocation for target based defined contribution pension plans," Insurance: Mathematics and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 86(C), pages 189-204.
    6. Wu, Huiling & Zhang, Ling & Chen, Hua, 2015. "Nash equilibrium strategies for a defined contribution pension management," Insurance: Mathematics and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 62(C), pages 202-214.
    7. Zhang, Ling & Zhang, Hao & Yao, Haixiang, 2018. "Optimal investment management for a defined contribution pension fund under imperfect information," Insurance: Mathematics and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 79(C), pages 210-224.
    8. Guohui Guan, 2020. "Equilibrium and Precommitment Mean-Variance Portfolio Selection Problem with Partially Observed Price Index and Multiple Assets," Methodology and Computing in Applied Probability, Springer, vol. 22(1), pages 25-47, March.
    9. Xiaoyi Zhang & Junyi Guo, 2018. "The Role of Inflation-Indexed Bond in Optimal Management of Defined Contribution Pension Plan During the Decumulation Phase," Risks, MDPI, vol. 6(2), pages 1-16, March.
    10. Liyuan Wang & Zhiping Chen, 2019. "Stochastic Game Theoretic Formulation for a Multi-Period DC Pension Plan with State-Dependent Risk Aversion," Mathematics, MDPI, vol. 7(1), pages 1-16, January.
    11. Guan, Guohui & Liang, Zongxia, 2016. "Optimal management of DC pension plan under loss aversion and Value-at-Risk constraints," Insurance: Mathematics and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 69(C), pages 224-237.
    12. Dong, Yinghui & Zheng, Harry, 2020. "Optimal investment with S-shaped utility and trading and Value at Risk constraints: An application to defined contribution pension plan," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 281(2), pages 341-356.
    13. Yao, Haixiang & Chen, Ping & Li, Xun, 2016. "Multi-period defined contribution pension funds investment management with regime-switching and mortality risk," Insurance: Mathematics and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 71(C), pages 103-113.
    14. Peng Yang & Zhiping Chen, 2023. "Optimal Private Health Insurance Contract towards the Joint Interests of a Policyholder and an Insurer," Mathematics, MDPI, vol. 11(10), pages 1-28, May.
    15. Pengyu Wei & Charles Yang, 2023. "Optimal investment for defined-contribution pension plans under money illusion," Review of Quantitative Finance and Accounting, Springer, vol. 61(2), pages 729-753, August.
    16. Sun, Jingyun & Li, Zhongfei & Zeng, Yan, 2016. "Precommitment and equilibrium investment strategies for defined contribution pension plans under a jump–diffusion model," Insurance: Mathematics and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 67(C), pages 158-172.
    17. Li, Shaoyu & Wei, Lijia & Xu, Zhiwei, 2017. "Dynamic asset allocation and consumption under inflation inequality: The impacts of inflation experiences and expectations," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 61(C), pages 113-125.
    18. Guan, Guohui & Liang, Zongxia, 2015. "Mean–variance efficiency of DC pension plan under stochastic interest rate and mean-reverting returns," Insurance: Mathematics and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 61(C), pages 99-109.
    19. Wujun Lv & Linlin Tian & Xiaoyi Zhang, 2023. "Optimal Defined Contribution Pension Management with Jump Diffusions and Common Shock Dependence," Mathematics, MDPI, vol. 11(13), pages 1-20, July.
    20. Menoncin, Francesco & Vigna, Elena, 2017. "Mean–variance target-based optimisation for defined contribution pension schemes in a stochastic framework," Insurance: Mathematics and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 76(C), pages 172-184.
    21. Xiaoxiao Zheng & Xin Zhang, 2014. "Optimal investment-reinsurance policy under a long-term perspective," Papers 1406.7604, arXiv.org.
    22. Guan, Guohui & Liang, Zongxia, 2016. "A stochastic Nash equilibrium portfolio game between two DC pension funds," Insurance: Mathematics and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 70(C), pages 237-244.

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