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Unemployment Insurance Generosity and Wage Determination

Author

Listed:
  • Kevin Rinz
  • David Wasser

Abstract

Using public-use data from the Current Population Survey, we estimate the effects of changes in unemployment insurance (UI) generosity on the wages of new hires from unemployment, job changers, and continuously employed workers. We find similar, modestly positive elasticities across all groups of workers. Posted wages respond similarly on average, but differences in distributional effects suggest that changes in wage posting are unlikely to fully explain the effects on realized wages. More generous UI also reduces hiring from unemployment and job-to-job transitions, reduces labor force exit, and increases the hiring of new labor force entrants and labor force non-participants.

Suggested Citation

  • Kevin Rinz & David Wasser, 2026. "Unemployment Insurance Generosity and Wage Determination," Working Papers 26-11, Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland.
    • Handle: RePEc:fip:fedcwq:103300
    DOI: 10.26509/frbc-wp-202611
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • J65 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Unemployment Insurance; Severance Pay; Plant Closings
    • J31 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Wage Level and Structure; Wage Differentials
    • J64 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Unemployment: Models, Duration, Incidence, and Job Search

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