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Economic Analysis Of Social Security Survivors Insurance

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  • Yue Li

Abstract

This article develops a heterogeneous agents model to analyze the effects of Social Security survivors insurance. The model features a negative mortality–income gradient, asymmetric information of individual mortality rates, and a warm‐glow bequest motive that varies by age and family structure. The model matches life‐cycle changes in life insurance coverage and generates advantageous selection in the insurance market. For male agents, reducing survivors benefits for dependent children generates welfare losses, whereas reducing survivors benefits for aged spouses produces welfare gains. The opposing welfare results are explained by differences in the timing of benefits and in the funding cost.

Suggested Citation

  • Yue Li, 2018. "Economic Analysis Of Social Security Survivors Insurance," International Economic Review, Department of Economics, University of Pennsylvania and Osaka University Institute of Social and Economic Research Association, vol. 59(4), pages 2043-2073, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:iecrev:v:59:y:2018:i:4:p:2043-2073
    DOI: 10.1111/iere.12329
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    2. Jones, John Bailey & Li, Yue, 2018. "The effects of collecting income taxes on Social Security benefits," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 159(C), pages 128-145.
    3. Artur Rutkowski, 2019. "Evaluating an old-age voluntary saving scheme under incomplete rationality," Gospodarka Narodowa. The Polish Journal of Economics, Warsaw School of Economics, issue 3, pages 55-94.
    4. Marcin Wron ski, 2023. "Does Social Security Crowd out Private Wealth? A Survey of the Literature," Journal of Economic Analysis, Anser Press, vol. 2(4), pages 98-122, July.

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • D1 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior
    • D82 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Asymmetric and Private Information; Mechanism Design
    • E21 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Consumption, Saving, Production, Employment, and Investment - - - Consumption; Saving; Wealth
    • G22 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Insurance; Insurance Companies; Actuarial Studies
    • H55 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies - - - Social Security and Public Pensions

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