Optimal Long-Run Fiscal Policy: Constraints, Preferences and the Resolution of Uncertainty

Alan Auerbach and Kevin Allen Hassett ()

No 9132, NBER Working Papers from National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc

Abstract: We construct a computational dynamic stochastic overlapping generations general equilibrium model with uncertain lifetimes and explore the impact of policy stickiness (specifically, a major reform will preclude future reforms for a generation) on optimal long-run fiscal policy. Under such circumstances, entitlement reforms exhaust a valuable option to move in the future. We explore the conditions under which the gain to waiting is large enough to induce optimizing policymakers to delay reforming a suboptimal system. We also allow for the uncertainty to have ARCH characteristics and explore the impact of time-varying uncertainty on the optimality of delayed policy action.

JEL-codes: E62 H62 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: Written
Note: EFG PE
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Related works:
Journal Article: Optimal long-run fiscal policy: Constraints, preferences and the resolution of uncertainty (2007)
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