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Retirement Flexibility and Portfolio Choice in General Equilibrium

Author

Listed:
  • Yvonne Adema

    (Erasmus University Rotterdam, and Netspar)

  • Jan Bonenkamp

    (CPB Netherlands Bureau for Economic Policy Analysis, and Netspar)

  • Lex Meijdam

    (University of Tilburg, and Netspar)

Abstract

This paper explores the interaction between retirement flexibility and portfolio choice in an overlapping-generations model of a closed economy. Retirement flexibility is often seen as a hedge against capital market risks which justifies more risky asset portfolios. We show, however, that this positive relationship between risk taking and retirement flexibility is weakened - and under some conditions even turned around - if not only capital market risks but also productivity risks are considered. Productivity risk in combination with a high elasticity of substitution between consumption and leisure creates a positive correlation between asset returns and labour income, reducing the willingness of consumers to bear risk. Moreover, it turns out that general equilibrium effects can either increase or decrease the equity exposure, depending on the degree of substitutability between consumption and leisure.

Suggested Citation

  • Yvonne Adema & Jan Bonenkamp & Lex Meijdam, 2011. "Retirement Flexibility and Portfolio Choice in General Equilibrium," Tinbergen Institute Discussion Papers 11-038/2/DSF13, Tinbergen Institute.
    • Handle: RePEc:tin:wpaper:20110038
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    portfolio choice; retirement (in)flexibility; productivity and depreciation risk; intratemporal substitution; general equilibrium;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • E21 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Consumption, Saving, Production, Employment, and Investment - - - Consumption; Saving; Wealth
    • G11 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Portfolio Choice; Investment Decisions
    • J26 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Retirement; Retirement Policies

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