Modelling Long Bonds - The Case of Optimal Fiscal Policy

Albert Marcet, Andrew Scott and Elisa Faraglia

No 9965, CEPR Discussion Papers from C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers

Abstract: We show how to model portfolio models in the presence of long bonds. Specifically we study optimal fiscal policy under incomplete markets where the government issues bonds of maturity N > 1. Assuming the existence of long bonds introduces an additional intertemporal mechanism that makes taxes more volatile in order to achieve lower debt management costs. In other words, fiscal policy is secondary to debt management. Modelling optimal policy with long term bonds is computationally demanding because of the promises made to cut future taxes. The longer the maturity of bonds the more promises need to be monitored and the larger the state space. We consider three means of overcoming this problem - a computational method using the ?condensed PEA?, an approximation whereby long bonds are modelled as a sequence of geometrically declining coupons and a model of independent powers where the fiscal authority and interest rate setting authority are separate. We compare the accuracy and properties of solutions across these three approaches and examine how the properties of optimal fiscal policy differ in the case of long bonds compared to one period debt.

Keywords: Debt management; Fiscal policy; Government debt; Maturity structure; Tax smoothing; Yield curve (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: E43 E62 H63 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2014-05
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-mac and nep-pbe
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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