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Long-Run Saving Dynamics: Evidence from Unexpected Inheritances

Author

Listed:
  • Jeppe Druedahl

    (Department of Economics, CEBI, University of Copenhagen)

  • Alessandro Martinello

    (Lund University and KWC and SFI)

Abstract

We exploit inheritance episodes to provide novel causal evidence on long-run saving dynamics. For identification, we combine a panel of administrative wealth reports with the unexpected timing of sudden parental deaths. After inheritance, net worth converges towards the path established before parental death, and convergence is faster for liquid assets. Using a generalized structural framework, we show that buffer-stock and two-asset models can fit these dynamics, but only if agents are impatient enough and have both strong precautionary and post-retirement saving motives. Relative to standard calibrations, such agents have at least 50 percent higher precautionary savings for given total wealth.

Suggested Citation

  • Jeppe Druedahl & Alessandro Martinello, 2018. "Long-Run Saving Dynamics: Evidence from Unexpected Inheritances," CEBI working paper series 17-02, University of Copenhagen. Department of Economics. The Center for Economic Behavior and Inequality (CEBI).
    • Handle: RePEc:kud:kucebi:1702
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    File URL: https://www.econ.ku.dk/cebi/publikationer/working-papers/cebi-working-papers/CEBI_WP_02-17.pdf
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Korom, Philipp, 2016. "Inherited advantage: The importance of inheritance for private wealth accumulation in Europe," MPIfG Discussion Paper 16/11, Max Planck Institute for the Study of Societies.
    2. Belloc, Ignacio & Molina, José Alberto & Velilla, Jorge, 2025. "Inheritance Shocks and Expenditure Patterns: A Dynamic Collective Approach," IZA Discussion Papers 18243, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    3. Claes Bäckman & Natalia Khorunzhina, 2024. "Interest‐Only Mortgages And Consumption Growth: Evidence From A Mortgage Market Reform," International Economic Review, Department of Economics, University of Pennsylvania and Osaka University Institute of Social and Economic Research Association, vol. 65(2), pages 1049-1079, May.
    4. Andreas Fagereng & Martin B. Holm & Gisle J. Natvik, 2021. "MPC Heterogeneity and Household Balance Sheets," American Economic Journal: Macroeconomics, American Economic Association, vol. 13(4), pages 1-54, October.
    5. Malo, Miguel Á. & Sciulli, Dario, 2023. "Expected wealth transfers and consumption across the wealth distribution in Europe," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 126(C).
    6. Elinder, Mikael & Erixson, Oscar & Waldenström, Daniel, 2018. "Inheritance and wealth inequality: Evidence from population registers," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 165(C), pages 17-30.
    7. Wolfgang Frimmel & Martin Halla & Jörg Paetzold & Julia Schmieder, 2020. "Health of Elderly Parents, Their Children's Labor Supply, and the Role of Migrant Care Workers," Discussion Papers of DIW Berlin 1902, DIW Berlin, German Institute for Economic Research.
    8. Belloc, Ignacio & Molina, José Alberto & Velilla, Jorge, 2025. "Consumption responses to inheritances: The role of durable goods," Journal of Macroeconomics, Elsevier, vol. 83(C).
    9. Sébastien Fontenay & Ilan Tojerow, 2020. "Work Disability after Motherhood and how Paternity Leave can Help," ULB Institutional Repository 2013/340869, ULB -- Universite Libre de Bruxelles.
    10. Sandra E Black & Paul J Devereux & Fanny Landaud & Kjell G Salvanes, 2025. "The (Un)Importance of Inheritance," Journal of the European Economic Association, European Economic Association, vol. 23(3), pages 1060-1094.
    11. Emily Nix & Martin Eckhoff Andresen, 2019. "What Causes the Child Penalty? Evidence from Same Sex Couples and Policy Reforms," Discussion Papers 902, Statistics Norway, Research Department.
    12. Wolfgang Frimmel & Martin Halla & Joerg Paetzold & Julia Schmieder, 2020. "Health of Elderly Parents, their Children's Labor Supply, and the Role of Migrant Care Workers," Economics working papers 2020-18, Department of Economics, Johannes Kepler University Linz, Austria.
    13. Henri Salokangas, 2021. "Exploring the labor market consequences of psychiatric disorders: An event study approach," Discussion Papers 148, Aboa Centre for Economics.
    14. Majlesi, Kaveh & Molin, Elin & Roth, Paula, 2024. "Severe Health Shocks and Financial Well-Being," CINCH Working Paper Series (since 2020) 82497, Duisburg-Essen University Library, DuEPublico.

    More about this item

    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • D14 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Household Saving; Personal Finance
    • D91 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics - - - Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on Decision Making
    • E21 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Consumption, Saving, Production, Employment, and Investment - - - Consumption; Saving; Wealth
    • G11 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Portfolio Choice; Investment Decisions
    • G40 - Financial Economics - - Behavioral Finance - - - General

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