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Optimal Stopping and Utility in a Simple Model of Unemployment Insurance

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  • Jason S. Anquandah
  • Leonid V. Bogachev

Abstract

Managing unemployment is one of the key issues in social policies. Unemployment insurance schemes are designed to cushion the financial and morale blow of loss of job but also to encourage the unemployed to seek new jobs more pro-actively due to the continuous reduction of benefit payments. In the present paper, a simple model of unemployment insurance is proposed with a focus on optimality of the individual's entry to the scheme. The corresponding optimal stopping problem is solved, and its similarity and differences with the perpetual American call option are discussed. Beyond a purely financial point of view, we argue that in the actuarial context the optimal decisions should take into account other possible preferences through a suitable utility function. Some examples in this direction are worked out.

Suggested Citation

  • Jason S. Anquandah & Leonid V. Bogachev, 2019. "Optimal Stopping and Utility in a Simple Model of Unemployment Insurance," Papers 1902.06175, arXiv.org, revised Sep 2019.
    • Handle: RePEc:arx:papers:1902.06175
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Camille Landais & Arash Nekoei & Peter Nilsson & David Seim & Johannes Spinnewijn, 2021. "Risk-Based Selection in Unemployment Insurance: Evidence and Implications," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 111(4), pages 1315-1355, April.
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    Cited by:

    1. Rich Ryan, 2023. "Discretionary Extensions to Unemployment Insurance Compensation and Some Potential Costs for a McCall Worker," Risks, MDPI, vol. 11(10), pages 1-39, September.
    2. Xing, Jie & Ma, Jingtang & Yang, Wensheng, 2023. "Optimal entry decision of unemployment insurance under partial information," Insurance: Mathematics and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 110(C), pages 31-52.

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