Optimal Social Assistance and Unemployment Insurance in a Life-Cycle Model of Family Labor Supply and Savings

56 Pages Posted: 27 Apr 2015

See all articles by Peter Haan

Peter Haan

DIW Berlin, German Institute for Economic Research; IZA Institute of Labor Economics

Victoria L. Prowse

Purdue University - Department of Economics; IZA Institute of Labor Economics; German Institute for Economic Research (DIW Berlin)

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Abstract

We analyze empirically the optimal design of social insurance and assistance programs when families obtain insurance by making labor supply choices for both spouses. For this purpose, we specify a structural life-cycle model of the labor supply and savings decisions of singles and married couples. Partial insurance against wage and employment shocks is provided by social programs, savings and the labor supplies of all adult household members. The optimal policy mix focuses mainly on Social Assistance, which provides a permanent universal household income floor, with a minor role for temporary earnings-related Unemployment Insurance. Reflecting that married couples obtain intra-household insurance by making labor supply choices for both spouses, the optimal generosity of Social Assistance decreases in the proportion of married individuals in the population. The link between optimal program design and the family context is strongest in low-educated populations.

Keywords: life-cycle labor supply, family labor supply, unemployment insurance, social assistance, design of benefit programs, intra-household insurance, household savings, employment risk, added worker effect

JEL Classification: J18, J68, H21, I38

Suggested Citation

Haan, Peter and Prowse, Victoria L., Optimal Social Assistance and Unemployment Insurance in a Life-Cycle Model of Family Labor Supply and Savings. IZA Discussion Paper No. 8980, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2598920 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2598920

Peter Haan (Contact Author)

DIW Berlin, German Institute for Economic Research ( email )

Mohrenstraße 58
Berlin, 10117
Germany

IZA Institute of Labor Economics

P.O. Box 7240
Bonn, D-53072
Germany

Victoria L. Prowse

Purdue University - Department of Economics ( email )

West Lafayette, IN 47907-1310
United States

IZA Institute of Labor Economics

P.O. Box 7240
Bonn, D-53072
Germany

German Institute for Economic Research (DIW Berlin) ( email )

Mohrenstraße 58
Berlin, 10117
Germany

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