Only time will tell: A theory of deferred compensation

Roman Inderst and Marcus Opp

No 13643, CEPR Discussion Papers from C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers

Abstract: This paper provides a complete characterization of optimal contracts in principal-agent settings where the agent’s action has persistent effects. We model generalinformation environments via the stochastic process of the likelihood-ratio. Themartingale property of this performance metric captures the information benefit ofdeferral. Costs of deferral may result from both the agent’s relative impatience aswell as her consumption smoothing needs. If the relatively impatient agent is riskneutral, optimal contracts take a simple form in that they only reward maximalperformance for at most two payout dates. If the agent is additionally risk-averse,optimal contracts stipulate rewards for a larger selection of dates and performancestates: The performance hurdle to obtain the same level of compensation is in-creasing over time whereas the pay-performance sensitivity is declining. We derivetestable implications for the optimal duration of (executive) compensation and thematurity structure of claims in financial contracting settings.

Keywords: Compensation design; Duration of pay; Moral hazard; Persistence; Principal-agent models; Informativeness principle (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: D86 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019-04
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-cta, nep-hrm, nep-mic and nep-ore
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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Related works:
Journal Article: Only Time Will Tell: A Theory of Deferred Compensation (2021)
Working Paper: Only time will tell: A theory of deferred compensation (2018)
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