Optimal Long-Run Fiscal Policy: Constraints, Preferences and the Resolution of Uncertainty
39 Pages Posted: 30 Aug 2002 Last revised: 16 Dec 2022
Date Written: August 2002
Abstract
We construct a computational dynamic stochastic overlapping generations general equilibrium model with uncertain lifetimes and explore the impact of policy stickiness (specifically, a major reform will preclude future reforms for a generation) on optimal long-run fiscal policy. Under such circumstances, entitlement reforms exhaust a valuable option to move in the future. We explore the conditions under which the gain to waiting is large enough to induce optimizing policymakers to delay reforming a suboptimal system. We also allow for the uncertainty to have ARCH characteristics and explore the impact of time-varying uncertainty on the optimality of delayed policy action.
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