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Unemployment Insurance Take-up Rates in an Equilibrium Search Model

Author

Listed:
  • Stéphane Auray

    (CREST; ENSAI ; ULCO)

  • David L. Fuller

    (University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh)

  • Damba Lkhagvasuren

    (Concordia University; CIREQ)

Abstract

From 1989-2012; on average 23% of those eligible for unemployment insurance (UI) benefits in the US did not collect them. In a search model with matching frictions; private information associated with the UI non-collectors implies the market equilibrium is not Pareto optimal. The cause of the Pareto inefeciency is characterized along with the key features of collector vs. non-collector outcomes. Non-collectors transition to employment at a faster rate and a lower wage relative to the Pareto optimal arrival rates and wages. Quantitatively; this implies 1:71% welfare loss in consumption equivalent terms for the average worker; with a 3:85% loss conditional on non-collection. With an endogenous take-up rate; the unemployment rate and average duration of unemployment respond significantly slower to changes in the UI benefit level; relative to the standard model with a 100% take-up rate.

Suggested Citation

  • Stéphane Auray & David L. Fuller & Damba Lkhagvasuren, 2018. "Unemployment Insurance Take-up Rates in an Equilibrium Search Model," Working Papers 2018-14, Center for Research in Economics and Statistics.
    • Handle: RePEc:crs:wpaper:2018-14
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • E61 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Macroeconomic Policy, Macroeconomic Aspects of Public Finance, and General Outlook - - - Policy Objectives; Policy Designs and Consistency; Policy Coordination
    • J32 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Nonwage Labor Costs and Benefits; Retirement Plans; Private Pensions
    • J64 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Unemployment: Models, Duration, Incidence, and Job Search
    • J65 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Unemployment Insurance; Severance Pay; Plant Closings

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