We explicitly derive and explore the optimal consumption and portfolio policies of a loss- averse individual who endogenously updates his reference level over time. We find that he protects his current consumption by delaying painful reductions in consumption after a drop in wealth, and...

This paper explores the interaction between retirement flexibility and portfolio choice in an overlapping - generations model. We analyze this interaction both in a partial - equilibrium and general - equilibrium setting. Retirement flexibility is often seen as a hedge against capital - market...

In many countries, collective funded pension schemes with defined benefits (DB) are being replaced by individual schemes with defined contributions. Collective funded DB pensions may indeed reduce social welfare. This will be the case when the schemes feature income-related contributions that...

Using a representative sample of Italian investors, we estimate the risk associated with social security benefits by eliciting for each individual the subjective distribution of the replacement rate as a summary indicator of social security wealth. Pension risk varies across individuals in a way...