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Bequests, inter vivos transfers, and wealth distribution

Research output: Contribution to Journal/MagazineJournal articlepeer-review

Published
<mark>Journal publication date</mark>10/2002
<mark>Journal</mark>Review of Economic Dynamics
Issue number4
Volume5
Number of pages40
Pages (from-to)892-931
Publication StatusPublished
<mark>Original language</mark>English

Abstract

This paper constructs a heterogeneous agent overlapping generations model with bequests and inter vivos transfers. In the model, households in the same family line behave strategically to determine their consumption, working hours, gifts, and savings. Calibrating the model to the U.S. economy, the paper measures time preference and parental altruism consistent with the economy’s capital-output ratio and the size of intergenerational transfers. The model with intergenerational transfers better explains, although not fully, the wealth distribution of the United States. The paper also analyzes the effects of government policy changes on wealth accumulation, distribution, and social welfare.