In the discussion of the life-cycle hypothesis, income is assumed to be constant during the period before retirement. For most people, however, income grows over their lifetimes. How does this growth in income influence the lifetime pattern of consumption and wealth accumulation shown in Figure 17-12 under the following

Principles of Economics 2e
2nd Edition
ISBN:9781947172364
Author:Steven A. Greenlaw; David Shapiro
Publisher:Steven A. Greenlaw; David Shapiro
Chapter22: Inflation
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 4SCQ: Edna is living in a retirement home where home where most of her needs are taken care of, but she...
icon
Related questions
Question

 

In the discussion of the life-cycle hypothesis, income is assumed to be constant during the period before retirement. For most people, however, income grows over their lifetimes. How does this growth in income influence the lifetime pattern of consumption and wealth accumulation shown in Figure 17-12 under the following conditions?

  1. Consumers can borrow, so their wealth can be negative.
  2. Consumers face borrowing constraints that prevent their wealth from falling below zero. Do you consider case (a) or case (b) to be more realistic? Why?

 

FIGURE 17-12
$
Income
Wealth
Saving
Consumption
Retirement
begins
Dissaving
End
of life
Consumption, Income, and Wealth
Over the Life Cycle If the consumer
smooths consumption over her life (as
indicated by the horizontal consump-
tion line), she will save and accumulate
wealth during her working years and
then dissave and run down her wealth
during retirement.
Transcribed Image Text:FIGURE 17-12 $ Income Wealth Saving Consumption Retirement begins Dissaving End of life Consumption, Income, and Wealth Over the Life Cycle If the consumer smooths consumption over her life (as indicated by the horizontal consump- tion line), she will save and accumulate wealth during her working years and then dissave and run down her wealth during retirement.
Expert Solution
trending now

Trending now

This is a popular solution!

steps

Step by step

Solved in 3 steps

Blurred answer
Knowledge Booster
Income Security Program
Learn more about
Need a deep-dive on the concept behind this application? Look no further. Learn more about this topic, economics and related others by exploring similar questions and additional content below.
Similar questions
  • SEE MORE QUESTIONS
Recommended textbooks for you
Principles of Economics 2e
Principles of Economics 2e
Economics
ISBN:
9781947172364
Author:
Steven A. Greenlaw; David Shapiro
Publisher:
OpenStax