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On Aggregate Precautionary Saving: When is the Third Derivative Irrelevant?

Author

Listed:
  • Mark Huggett

    (Centro de Investigacion Economica (CIE), Instituto Tecnologico Autonomo de Mexico (ITAM))

  • Sandra Ospina

    (Centro de Investigacion Economica (CIE), Instituto Tecnologico Autonomo de Mexico (ITAM))

Abstract

When does idiosyncratic earnings uncertainty increase aggregate saving? We address this question in the context of a general equilibrium model where infinitely-lived agents receive idiosyncratic labor endowment shocks, hold a risk-free asset to smooth consumption and face a liquidity constraint. We prove that the steady-state capital stock is always larger in any equilibrium with idiosyncratic shocks and a liquidity constraint than without idiosyncratic shocks (i.e. there is aggregate precautionary saving) as long as utility functions are strictly concave. We also prove that aggregate precautionary saving occurs if and only if the liquidity constraint binds for some agents.

Suggested Citation

  • Mark Huggett & Sandra Ospina, 1998. "On Aggregate Precautionary Saving: When is the Third Derivative Irrelevant?," Working Papers 9802, Centro de Investigacion Economica, ITAM.
  • Handle: RePEc:cie:wpaper:9802
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Marcet, Albert & Obiols-Homs, Francesc & Weil, Philippe, 2007. "Incomplete markets, labor supply and capital accumulation," Journal of Monetary Economics, Elsevier, vol. 54(8), pages 2621-2635, November.
    2. repec:hal:spmain:info:hdl:2441/8623 is not listed on IDEAS
    3. repec:hal:spmain:info:hdl:2441/8713 is not listed on IDEAS
    4. Francesc Obiols-Homs, 2003. "Incomplete Unemployment Insurance and Aggregate Fluctuations," Review of Economic Dynamics, Elsevier for the Society for Economic Dynamics, vol. 6(3), pages 602-636, July.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    Precautionary Saving; Idiosyncratic Shocks; Liquidity Constraints; Capital Theory;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • E13 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - General Aggregative Models - - - Neoclassical
    • E21 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Consumption, Saving, Production, Employment, and Investment - - - Consumption; Saving; Wealth
    • D91 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics - - - Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on Decision Making

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