Validating Life-Cycle Models: Lifetime Earnings and the Timing of Retirement

Authors

• John Laitner
• Daniel Silverman

Abstract

This paper provides a method for validating, and distinguishing between, different life-cycle models of consumption and labor supply. We derive qualitative predictions for two prominent life-cycle model formulations – having non-separable and separable in consumption and leisure – and we use data on the relationship between lifetime earnings and the timing of retirement to assess and distinguish between them. Preliminary estimates provide some support for the non-separable formulation.

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Publication Type

2007 RRC

Publication Year

2007