This paper examines take-up rates in a simple model in which there is a single means-tested benefit involving a 'taper rate' at which benefits are withdrawn as earnings increase. There is a fixed cost of applying for benefits. The model involves a joint decision regarding both labour supply and...

This paper considers the question whether it is possible, using information about only the distribution of earnings, to identify some of the labour supply incentive effects of a tax and transfer system.

A number of recent papers have employed the BDS test as a general test for mis-specification for linear and nonlinear models. We show that for a particular class of conditionally heteroscedastic models, the BDS test is unable to detect a common mis-specification. Our results also demonstrate...

Evidence from most developing countries suggest that parents have a preference for sons over daughters. This is know as son preference. This paper uses individual level unit record data to test the son preference hypothesis in South Africa. We use an accelerated hazard model to estimate the...