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Mental Accounting in Portfolio Choice: Evidence from a Flypaper Effect

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  • Laibson, David I.
  • Madrian, Brigitte C.
  • Choi, James J.

Abstract

Consistent with mental accounting, we document that investors sometimes choose the asset allocation for one account without considering the asset allocation of their other accounts. The setting is a firm that changed its 401(k) matching rules. Initially, 401(k) enrollees chose the allocation of their own contributions, but the firm chose the match allocation. These enrollees ignored the match allocation when choosing their own-contribution allocation. In the second regime, enrollees simultaneously selected both allocations, leading them to mentally integrate the two. Own-contribution allocations before the rule change equal the combined own and match-contribution allocations afterwards, whereas combined allocations differ sharply across regimes.

Suggested Citation

  • Laibson, David I. & Madrian, Brigitte C. & Choi, James J., 2009. "Mental Accounting in Portfolio Choice: Evidence from a Flypaper Effect," Scholarly Articles 4686774, Harvard University Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:hrv:faseco:4686774
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • G11 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Portfolio Choice; Investment Decisions
    • J32 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Nonwage Labor Costs and Benefits; Retirement Plans; Private Pensions

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