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When you need it or when I die? Timing of monetary transfers from parents to children

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  • Pasini, Giacomo
  • Alessie, Rob
  • Kalwij, Adriaan

Abstract

The standard overlapping generations model assumes the ability to borrow against bequests. If this assumption is not met, it may happen that not all generations smooth their consumption over time. We prove that by allowing for inter vivos transfers in this latter situation, all generations smooth consumption, i.e. the first best solution is restored. Next, using a combination of Dutch survey and administrative data, we provide empirical support for the model's implication that parents transfer wealth when their children need to borrow out of future resources. Our findings suggest an instrumental role for inter vivos transfers as a device that generations can resort to for smoothing their consumption over time.

Suggested Citation

  • Pasini, Giacomo & Alessie, Rob & Kalwij, Adriaan, 2024. "When you need it or when I die? Timing of monetary transfers from parents to children," Research in Economics, Elsevier, vol. 78(3).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:reecon:v:78:y:2024:i:3:s1090944324000383
    DOI: 10.1016/j.rie.2024.100974
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Inter vivos transfers; Credit constraints; Overlapping generations;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D12 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Consumer Economics: Empirical Analysis
    • D13 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Household Production and Intrahouse Allocation
    • D91 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics - - - Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on Decision Making

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