Household finance
File(s)HHF.pdf (648.36 KB)
Accepted version
Author(s)
Gomes, Francisco
Haliassos, Michael
Ramadorai, Tarun
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Household financial decisions are complex, interdependent, and heterogeneous, and central to the functioning of the financial system. We present an overview of the rapidly expanding literature on household finance (with some important exceptions) and suggest directions for future research. We begin with the theory and empirics of asset market participation and asset allocation over the life cycle. We then discuss household choices in insurance markets, trading behavior, decisions on retirement saving, and financial choices by retirees. We survey research on liabilities, including mortgage choice, refinancing, and default, and household behavior in unsecured credit markets, including credit cards and payday lending. We then connect the household to its social environment, including peer effects, cultural and hereditary factors, intra-household financial decision making, financial literacy, cognition and educational interventions. We also discuss literature on the provision and consumption of financial advice.
Date Issued
2021-09
Date Acceptance
2020-03-16
Citation
Journal of Economic Literature, 2021, 59 (3), pp.919-1000
ISSN
0022-0515
Publisher
American Economic Association
Start Page
919
End Page
1000
Journal / Book Title
Journal of Economic Literature
Volume
59
Issue
3
Copyright Statement
© 2021 American Economic Association. All rights reserved.
Identifier
https://www.aeaweb.org/articles?id=10.1257/jel.20201461
Subjects
Social Sciences
Economics
Business & Economics
OPTIMAL PORTFOLIO CHOICE
CYCLE ASSET ALLOCATION
STOCK-MARKET EVIDENCE
INTEREST-RATE RISK
LONG-TERM-CARE
LIFE-CYCLE
MORTGAGE-MARKET
LOSS AVERSION
RETIREMENT SAVINGS
HABIT FORMATION
Economics
14 Economics
Publication Status
Published
Date Publish Online
2021-09