Archive: Catherine Taylor
Introduction This brief explores how the shift from defined benefit to defined contribution pension plans might affect bequests and thereby consumption and saving. Bequests can occur under two different types of circumstances: (1) individuals plan to leave an inheritance for their heirs (an intended bequest); or (2) individuals have no specific inheritance plans, but d…
Abstract This paper uses the 1998 Survey of Consumer Finances to identify the factors that determine whether an eligible employee elects to participate in a 401(k) plan and the magnitude of the employee’s contribution. The conclusion is that the most important factor affecting employees’ participation and contribution decisions is their planning horizon. Those with planning…
