Recursive Preferences, the Value of Life, and Household Finance

Antoine Bommier, Daniel Harenberg, François Le Grand and Cormac O'Dea
Additional contact information
Antoine Bommier: ETH Zurich
Daniel Harenberg: ETH Zurich
François Le Grand: EMLyon Business School

No 2231, Cowles Foundation Discussion Papers from Cowles Foundation for Research in Economics, Yale University

Abstract: We analyze lifecycle saving strategies using a recursive utility model calibrated to match empirical estimates for the value of a statistical life. We show that, with a positive value of life, risk aversion reduces savings and annuity purchase. Risk averse agents are willing to make an early death a not-so-adverse outcome by enjoying greater consumption when young and bequeathing wealth in case of death. We also find that greater risk aversion lowers stock market participation. We show that this model can rationalize low annuity demand while also matching empirically documented levels of wealth and private investments in stocks. Our findings stand in contrast to studies that implicitly assume a negative value of life.

Keywords: Recursive utility; Lifecycle model; Value of life; Risk aversion; Saving choices; Portfolio choices; Annuity puzzle (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: D91 G11 J14 J17 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 55 pages
Date: 2020-05
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-dge, nep-lab, nep-ore, nep-rmg and nep-upt
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (13)

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