Working Paper: NBER ID: w13966
Authors: Francisco J. Gomes; Laurence J. Kotlikoff; Luis M. Viceira
Abstract: We investigate optimal consumption, asset accumulation and portfolio decisions in a realistically calibrated life-cycle model with flexible labor supply. Our framework allows for wage rate uncertainly, variable labor supply, social security benefits and portfolio choice over safe bonds and risky equities. Our analysis reinforces prior findings that equities are the preferred asset for young households, with the optimal share of equities generally declining prior to retirement. However, variable labor materially alters pre-retirement portfolio choice by significantly raising optimal equity holdings. Using this model, we also investigate the welfare costs of constraining portfolio allocations over the life cycle to mimic popular default investment choices in defined-contribution pension plans, such as stable value funds, balanced funds, and life-cycle (or target date) funds. We find that life-cycle funds designed to match the risk tolerance and investment horizon of investors have small welfare costs. All other choices, including life-cycle funds which do not match investors' risk tolerance, can have substantial welfare costs.
Keywords: No keywords provided
JEL Codes: D1; D91; E21; G11; G2; G23; H31; H55
Edges that are evidenced by causal inference methods are in orange, and the rest are in light blue.
| Cause | Effect |
|---|---|
| increased labor supply flexibility (J29) | higher equity holdings (G51) |
| labor supply constraints (J20) | suboptimal investment choices (G11) |
| fixed labor supply constraints (J20) | welfare loss (D69) |
| portfolio choice (G11) | welfare outcomes (I38) |
| other investment choices (G11) | significant welfare losses (D69) |