Time Inconsistency and Welfare Program Participation: Evidence from the Nlsy
نویسندگان
چکیده
We empirically implement a dynamic structural model of labor supply and welfare program participation for agents with potentially time-inconsistent preferences. Using panel data on the choices of single women with children from the NLSY 1979, we provide estimates of the degree of time-inconsistency, and of its influence on the welfare take-up decision. With these estimates, we conduct counterfactual experiments to quantify the utility loss stemming from the inability to commit to future decisions, and the potential utility gains from commitment mechanisms such as welfare time limits and work requirements.
منابع مشابه
Measuring Time-inconsistency: Evidence fromWork-Welfare Decisions in NLSY∗
This paper applies a model of potentially time-inconsistent preferences to the problem of dynamic labor supply and welfare program participation. From panel data on the choices of single women with children, we provide estimates of the degree of time-inconsistency. With these estimates we can quantify the utility loss stemming from the inability to commit to future decisions, and the potential ...
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