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How risk aversion shapes the trade-off between commitment and flexibility

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  • Ferraz, Eduardo
  • Mantilla, César

Abstract

We use a three-period model to explore the optimal asset transfer that a present self, aware that her near future self is present-biased but better informed, will make to protect her far future self against income shocks. The model captures the present self’s trade-off between using illiquid savings as a commitment mechanism, restricting the near future self from its consumption temptations; and giving flexibility to the near future self to adjust consumption after knowing the shock size. We adopt a class of utility functions, à la Epstein–Zin, to vary risk aversion while holding time preferences fixed. Our main result states that a more risk-averse agent would purchase more illiquid assets.

Suggested Citation

  • Ferraz, Eduardo & Mantilla, César, 2024. "How risk aversion shapes the trade-off between commitment and flexibility," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 227(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jeborg:v:227:y:2024:i:c:s0167268124003627
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jebo.2024.106748
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Choice reversals; Dynamic inconsistency; Epstein–Zin preferences; Present bias;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D11 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Consumer Economics: Theory
    • D81 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Criteria for Decision-Making under Risk and Uncertainty
    • D90 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics - - - General
    • G40 - Financial Economics - - Behavioral Finance - - - General

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