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Altruism, uncertain lifetime and the distribution of wealth

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  • Luisa Fuster

Abstract

This paper studies the dynamics of the distribution of wealth in a general equilibrium framework. It considers an overlapping generations model with production and altruistic preferences in which individuals face an uncertain lifetime and annuity markets do not exist. This paper focuses on the role that accidental bequests, voluntary bequests, and non--negativity constraints on bequests play in the dynamics of the distribution of wealth. It is proved that the equilibrium interest rate is lower than the one that satisfies the modified golden rule. In this economy, a social security system not only plays an insurance role, but also prevents capital overaccumulation. In fact, this paper shows that a pay--as--you--go social security system decentralizes the social planner solution as a competitive equilibrium.

Suggested Citation

  • Luisa Fuster, 1995. "Altruism, uncertain lifetime and the distribution of wealth," Economics Working Papers 150, Department of Economics and Business, Universitat Pompeu Fabra.
  • Handle: RePEc:upf:upfgen:150
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Antoni Bosch-Domenech & Shyam Sunder, 2000. "Tracking the Invisible Hand: Convergence of Double Auctions to Competitive Equilibrium," Computational Economics, Springer;Society for Computational Economics, vol. 16(3), pages 257-284, December.
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    3. Thierry Foucault, 1994. "Price formation and order placement strategies in a dynamic order driven market," Economics Working Papers 99, Department of Economics and Business, Universitat Pompeu Fabra.
    4. Daniel Serra & Charles Revelle, 1992. "The PQ-Median problem: Location and districting of hierarchical facilities. Part I," Economics Working Papers 12, Department of Economics and Business, Universitat Pompeu Fabra.
    5. Ramon Marimon & Fabrizio Zilibotti, 1994. "'Actual' versus 'virtual' employment in Europe: Why is there less employment in Spain?," Economics Working Papers 100, Department of Economics and Business, Universitat Pompeu Fabra.
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    Cited by:

    1. Luisa Fuster, 1999. "Is Altruism Important for Understanding the Long-Run Effects of Social Security?," Review of Economic Dynamics, Elsevier for the Society for Economic Dynamics, vol. 2(3), pages 616-637, July.
    2. Ana I. Moro-Egido, 2004. "Educational System, Altruism and Inequality in the Distribution of Income," Economic Working Papers at Centro de Estudios Andaluces E2004/46, Centro de Estudios Andaluces.

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