Working paper

Comparative Risk Aversion: A Formal Approach with Applications to Savings Behaviors

Antoine Bommier, Arnold Chassagnon, and François Le Grand

Abstract

We consider a formal approach to comparative risk aversion and applies it to intertemporal choice models. This allows us to ask whether standard classes of utility functions, such as those inspired by Kihlstrom and Mirman (1974), Selden (1978), Epstein and Zin (1989) and Quiggin (1982) are well-ordered in terms of risk aversion. Moreover, opting for this model-free approach allows us to establish new general results on the impact of risk aversion on savings behaviors. In particular, we show that risk aversion enhances precautionary savings, clarifying the link that exists between the notions of prudence and risk aversion.

Keywords

risk aversion; savings behaviors; precautionary savings;

JEL codes

  • D11: Consumer Economics: Theory
  • D81: Criteria for Decision-Making under Risk and Uncertainty
  • D91: Intertemporal Household Choice • Life Cycle Models and Saving

Reference

Antoine Bommier, Arnold Chassagnon, and François Le Grand, Comparative Risk Aversion: A Formal Approach with Applications to Savings Behaviors, TSE Working Paper, n. 10-141, January 28, 2010.

See also

Published in

TSE Working Paper, n. 10-141, January 28, 2010