IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/p/iae/iaewps/wp2013n21.html
   My bibliography  Save this paper

Empirical Analysis of Household Savings Decisions in Context of Uncertainty: A Cross-Sectional Approach

Author

Listed:
  • Justin van de Ven

    (National Institute of Economic and Social Research, London; Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research, The University of Melbourne)

  • Paolo Lucchino

    (National Institute of Economic and Social Research, London)

Abstract

Most empirical studies of savings behaviour that explicitly take account of the influence of uncertainty consider for identification data that describe the evolution of circumstances observed during an appreciable period of the life-course. Here we report results obtained for a dynamic programming model that has been adapted to permit identification of preference parameters using data observed at a point in time for a given population cross-section. We discuss the advantages of this approach, and our empirical results demonstrate its feasibility in context of contemporary computing technology.

Suggested Citation

  • Justin van de Ven & Paolo Lucchino, 2013. "Empirical Analysis of Household Savings Decisions in Context of Uncertainty: A Cross-Sectional Approach," Melbourne Institute Working Paper Series wp2013n21, Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research, The University of Melbourne.
    • Handle: RePEc:iae:iaewps:wp2013n21
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://melbourneinstitute.unimelb.edu.au/downloads/working_paper_series/wp2013n21.pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Robert B. Barsky & Miles S. Kimball & F. Thomas Juster & Matthew D. Shapiro, 1995. "Preference Parameters and Behavioral Heterogeneity: An Experimental Approach in the Health and Retirement Survey," NBER Working Papers 5213, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    2. Lee, Bong-Soo & Ingram, Beth Fisher, 1991. "Simulation estimation of time-series models," Journal of Econometrics, Elsevier, vol. 47(2-3), pages 197-205, February.
    3. Balcer, Yves & Sadka, Efraim, 1986. "Equivalence scales, horizontal equity and optimal taxation under utilitarianism," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 29(1), pages 79-97, February.
    4. Orazio Attanasio & Hamish Low & Virginia Sánchez-Marcos, 2008. "Explaining Changes in Female Labor Supply in a Life-Cycle Model," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 98(4), pages 1517-1552, September.
    5. Paolo Lucchino & Dr Justin van de Ven, 2013. "Modelling the dynamic effects of transfer policy: the LINDA policy analysis tool," National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIESR) Discussion Papers 405, National Institute of Economic and Social Research.
    6. Gallant, A. Ronald & Tauchen, George, 1996. "Which Moments to Match?," Econometric Theory, Cambridge University Press, vol. 12(4), pages 657-681, October.
    7. Orazio P. Attanasio & Guglielmo Weber, 1993. "Consumption Growth, the Interest Rate and Aggregation," The Review of Economic Studies, Review of Economic Studies Ltd, vol. 60(3), pages 631-649.
    8. Hall, Robert E, 1988. "Intertemporal Substitution in Consumption," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 96(2), pages 339-357, April.
    9. Nelissen, Jan H. M., 1998. "Annual versus lifetime income redistribution by social security," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 68(2), pages 223-249, May.
    10. Justin van de Ven & Paolo Lucchino, 2013. "Modelling the Dynamic Effects of Transfer Policy: The LINDA Policy Analysis Tool," Melbourne Institute Working Paper Series wp2013n20, Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research, The University of Melbourne.
    11. Engelhardt, Gary V. & Kumar, Anil, 2009. "The elasticity of intertemporal substitution: New evidence from 401(k) participation," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 103(1), pages 15-17, April.
    12. Gourieroux, C & Monfort, A & Renault, E, 1993. "Indirect Inference," Journal of Applied Econometrics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 8(S), pages 85-118, Suppl. De.
    13. Dr Justin van de Ven & Dr Martin Weale, 2010. "An Empirical Investigation of Quasi-hyperbolic Discounting," National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIESR) Discussion Papers 355, National Institute of Economic and Social Research.
    14. Gary Hansen & Selahattin Imrohoroglu, 2008. "Consumption over the Life Cycle: The Role of Annuities," Review of Economic Dynamics, Elsevier for the Society for Economic Dynamics, vol. 11(3), pages 566-583, July.
    15. James Sefton & Justin vandeVen & Martin Weale, 2008. "Means Testing Retirement Benefits: fostering equity or discouraging savings?," Economic Journal, Royal Economic Society, vol. 118(528), pages 556-590, April.
    16. Mehra, Rajnish & Prescott, Edward C., 1985. "The equity premium: A puzzle," Journal of Monetary Economics, Elsevier, vol. 15(2), pages 145-161, March.
    17. Hansen, Lars Peter & Singleton, Kenneth J, 1983. "Stochastic Consumption, Risk Aversion, and the Temporal Behavior of Asset Returns," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 91(2), pages 249-265, April.
    18. Grossman, Sanford J & Shiller, Robert J, 1981. "The Determinants of the Variability of Stock Market Prices," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 71(2), pages 222-227, May.
    19. Igor Livshits & James MacGee & Michèle Tertilt, 2007. "Consumer Bankruptcy: A Fresh Start," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 97(1), pages 402-418, March.
    20. Steven Stern, 1997. "Simulation-Based Estimation," Journal of Economic Literature, American Economic Association, vol. 35(4), pages 2006-2039, December.
    21. Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas & Jonathan A. Parker, 2002. "Consumption Over the Life Cycle," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 70(1), pages 47-89, January.
    22. Dr Justin van de Ven & Dr Martin Weale, 2010. "An Empirical Investigation of Quasi-hyperbolic Discounting," National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIESR) Discussion Papers 355, National Institute of Economic and Social Research.
    23. Andreoni, James, 1989. "Giving with Impure Altruism: Applications to Charity and Ricardian Equivalence," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 97(6), pages 1447-1458, December.
    24. repec:sae:niesru:v:188:y::i:1:p:56-72 is not listed on IDEAS
    25. N. Gregory Mankiw & Julio J. Rotemberg & Lawrence H. Summers, 1985. "Intertemporal Substitution in Macroeconomics," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 100(1), pages 225-251.
    26. Unknown, 2005. "Forward," 2005 Conference: Slovenia in the EU - Challenges for Agriculture, Food Science and Rural Affairs, November 10-11, 2005, Moravske Toplice, Slovenia 183804, Slovenian Association of Agricultural Economists (DAES).
    27. Robert B. Barsky & F. Thomas Juster & Miles S. Kimball & Matthew D. Shapiro, 1997. "Preference Parameters and Behavioral Heterogeneity: An Experimental Approach in the Health and Retirement Study," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 112(2), pages 537-579.
    28. Blundell, Richard & Pashardes, Panos & Weber, Guglielmo, 1993. "What Do We Learn About Consumer Demand Patterns from Micro Data?," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 83(3), pages 570-597, June.
    29. Mankiw, N Gregory, 1985. "Consumer Durables and the Real Interest Rate," The Review of Economics and Statistics, MIT Press, vol. 67(3), pages 353-362, August.
    30. Feigenbaum, James, 2008. "Information shocks and precautionary saving," Journal of Economic Dynamics and Control, Elsevier, vol. 32(12), pages 3917-3938, December.
    31. Orazio Attanasio & Hamish Low & Virginia Sánchez-Marcos, 2005. "Female Labor Supply As Insurance Against Idiosyncratic Risk," Journal of the European Economic Association, MIT Press, vol. 3(2-3), pages 755-764, 04/05.
    32. Karen E. Dynan, 1993. "How prudent are consumers?," Working Paper Series / Economic Activity Section 135, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (U.S.).
    33. Dynan, Karen E, 1993. "How Prudent Are Consumers?," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 101(6), pages 1104-1113, December.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Berk Yavuzoglu, 2018. "Labor Force Attachment Beyond Normal Retirement Age," Working Papers 1803, Nazarbayev University, Department of Economics, revised Nov 2018.
    2. Justin van de Ven, 2013. "The Influence of Decision Costs on Investments in Indivudual Savings Accounts," Melbourne Institute Working Paper Series wp2013n19, Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research, The University of Melbourne.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Paolo Lucchino & Dr Justin van de Ven, 2013. "Empirical Analysis of Household Savings Decisions in Context of Uncertainty: A cross-sectional approach," National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIESR) Discussion Papers 406, National Institute of Economic and Social Research.
    2. Paolo Lucchino & Dr Justin van de Ven, 2013. "Empirical Analysis of Household Savings Decisions in Context of Uncertainty: A cross-sectional approach," National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIESR) Discussion Papers 417, National Institute of Economic and Social Research.
    3. Dr Justin van de Ven, 2013. "The influence of decision costs on investments in Individual Savings Accounts," National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIESR) Discussion Papers 407, National Institute of Economic and Social Research.
    4. Justin W. van de Ven, 2017. "Parameterising a detailed dynamic programming model of savings and labour supply using cross-sectional data," International Journal of Microsimulation, International Microsimulation Association, vol. 10(1), pages 135-166.
    5. repec:ijm:journl:v109:y:2017:i:1:p:135-166 is not listed on IDEAS
    6. Justin Van de Ven, 2016. "Parameterising the LINDA microsimulation model of benefit unit savings and labour supply," National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIESR) Discussion Papers 464, National Institute of Economic and Social Research.
    7. Dr Justin van de Ven & Dr Martin Weale, 2010. "An Empirical Investigation of Quasi-hyperbolic Discounting," National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIESR) Discussion Papers 355, National Institute of Economic and Social Research.
    8. Callan, Tim & van de Ven, Justin & Keane, Claire & O'Connell, Philip J., 2012. "A Framework for Pension Policy Analysis in Ireland: PENMOD, a Dynamic Simulation Model," Book Chapters, in: Callan, Tim (ed.),Analysing Pensions: Modelling and Policy Issues, pages 43-101, Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI).
    9. Justin van de Ven, 2013. "The Influence of Decision Costs on Investments in Indivudual Savings Accounts," Melbourne Institute Working Paper Series wp2013n19, Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research, The University of Melbourne.
    10. van de Ven, Justin, 2011. "A structural dynamic microsimulation model of household savings and labour supply," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 28(4), pages 2054-2070, July.
    11. Justin van de Ven, 2013. "The Influence of Decision Costs on Investments in Indivudual Savings Accounts," Melbourne Institute Working Paper Series wp2013n19, Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research, The University of Melbourne.
    12. Julian Thimme, 2017. "Intertemporal Substitution In Consumption: A Literature Review," Journal of Economic Surveys, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 31(1), pages 226-257, February.
    13. Orazio P. Attanasio, 1998. "Consumption Demand," NBER Working Papers 6466, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    14. H. Youn Kim & José Alberto Molina & Ka Kei Gary Wong, 2022. "Durable Goods and Consumer Behavior with Liquidity Constraints: Evidence from Norway," Boston College Working Papers in Economics 1047, Boston College Department of Economics.
    15. Engelhardt, Gary V. & Kumar, Anil, 2009. "The elasticity of intertemporal substitution: New evidence from 401(k) participation," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 103(1), pages 15-17, April.
    16. Guvenen, Fatih, 2006. "Reconciling conflicting evidence on the elasticity of intertemporal substitution: A macroeconomic perspective," Journal of Monetary Economics, Elsevier, vol. 53(7), pages 1451-1472, October.
    17. Daria Pignalosa, 2019. "On the role of the utility function in the estimation of preference parameters," Metroeconomica, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 70(4), pages 793-820, November.
    18. N. Gregory Mankiw & Matthew D. Shapiro, 1984. "Risk and Return: Consumption versus Market Beta," NBER Working Papers 1399, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    19. Syed M. Ahsan & Panagiotis Tsigaris, 2009. "The Efficiency Loss of Capital Income Taxation under Imperfect Loss Offset Provisions," Public Finance Review, , vol. 37(6), pages 710-731, November.
    20. Daria Pignalosa, 2021. "The Euler Equation Approach: Critical Implications of Recent Developments in the Theory of Intertemporal Choice," Bulletin of Political Economy, Bulletin of Political Economy, vol. 15(1), pages 1-43, June.
    21. Orazio P. Attanasio & Guglielmo Weber, 2010. "Consumption and Saving: Models of Intertemporal Allocation and Their Implications for Public Policy," Journal of Economic Literature, American Economic Association, vol. 48(3), pages 693-751, September.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    Dynamic programming; savings; labor supply;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C51 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric Modeling - - - Model Construction and Estimation
    • C61 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Mathematical Methods; Programming Models; Mathematical and Simulation Modeling - - - Optimization Techniques; Programming Models; Dynamic Analysis
    • C63 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Mathematical Methods; Programming Models; Mathematical and Simulation Modeling - - - Computational Techniques
    • H31 - Public Economics - - Fiscal Policies and Behavior of Economic Agents - - - Household

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:iae:iaewps:wp2013n21. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Sheri Carnegie (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://edirc.repec.org/data/mimelau.html .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.