A Life-Cycle Model with Ambiguous Survival Beliefs

TitleA Life-Cycle Model with Ambiguous Survival Beliefs
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2016
AuthorsGroneck, M, Ludwig, A, Zimper, A
JournalJournal of Economic Theory
Volume162
Pagination137-180
KeywordsMethodology, Other
Abstract

Based on a cognitive notion of neo-additive capacities reflecting likelihood insensitivity with respect to survival chances, we construct a Choquet Bayesian learning model over the life-cycle that generates a motivational notion of neo-additive survival beliefs expressing ambiguity attitudes. We embed these neo-additive survival beliefs as decision weights in a Choquet expected utility life-cycle consumption model and calibrate it with data on subjective survival beliefs from the Health and Retirement Study. Our quantitative analysis shows that agents with calibrated neo-additive survival beliefs (i) save less than originally planned, (ii) exhibit undersaving at younger ages, and (iii) hold larger amounts of assets in old age than their rational expectations counterparts who correctly assess their survival chances. Our neo-additive life-cycle model can therefore simultaneously accommodate three important empirical findings on household saving behavior.

URLhttp://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022053115002100
DOI10.1016/j.jet.2015.12.008
Endnote Keywords

Bayesian learning/Likelihood insensitivity/Ambiguity/Dynamic inconsistency/Subjective survival beliefs/Saving puzzles

Endnote ID

999999

Citation Key8335