The possibility of Pareto-Improving Pension Reform: More Arguments

This article provides simulation results of Pareto-improving transitions from pay-as-you-go to fully funded pension systems in an economy where agents are heterogeneous within generations. The possibility of such transitions for a wide range of parameters states that intergenerational heterogeneity should no longer be considered an obstacle when implementing Pareto-improving pension reforms. To maintain redistributive or insurance mechanisms supported by pay-as-you-go systems, I propose to replace social system with redistributive tax and transfer payments inside one generation. This would save dynamically efficient economy from the inefficiency related to the implicit taxes on pension contributions imposed by pay-as-you-go systems.pension reform, Pareto-improving transition, heterogeneous population, redistribution and insurance

Optimal Time Consistent Monetary Policy

We discuss the issue of time consistency of monetary policy. We develop a simple and intuitive procedure to derive analytically the unconditionally optimal (UO) policy in a general linear-quadratic set-up, a perspective stressed by Taylor (1979) and Whiteman (1986). We compare the UO perspective on optimal monetary policy with alternative approaches. We use our approach in simple backward- and forward-looking models and argue that the UO perspective is worthy of renewed interest.Time consistency, unconditional expectation, timeless perspective, optimal policy.

Optimal Monetary Policy Rules from a Timeless Perspective

The timelessly optimal monetary policy proposed by Woodford (2003) may be dominated by alternative timeless policies. We provide a formal justification for these alternative policies. We demonstrate why discount rates do not matter and establish that optimizing over the unconditional expectation of the policy criterion function recovers these alternative strategies.Time consistency, unconditional expectation, timeless perspective, optimal monetary policy.

Linear-Quadratic Approximation to Unconditionally Optimal Policy: The Distorted Steady-State

This paper establishes that one can generally obtain a purely quadratic approximation to the unconditional expectation of social welfare when the steady-state is distorted. A specific example is provided employing a canonical New Keynesian model. Unlike in the non-distorted steady state case, the approximate loss function is not defined simply over terms in inflation and output. Furthermore, optimal steady state inflation and the nominal interest rate are positive.Unconditional expectations, Optimal monetary policy.

Ordering policy rules with an unconditional welfare measure

The unconditional expectation of social welfare is often used to assess alternative macroeconomic policy rules in applied quantative research. It is shown that it is generally possible to derive a linear-quadratic problem that approximates the exact non-linear porblem where the unconditional expectation of the objective is maximised and the steady- state is distorted. Thus, the measure of policy performance is a linear combination of second moments of economic variables which is relatively easy to compute numerically, and can be used to rank alternative policy rules. The approach is applied to a simple Calvo-type model under various monetary policy rules.Linear-quadratic approximation., unconditional expectations, optimal monetary policy, ranking simple policy rules.

Unconditionally Optimal Monetary Policy

We develop a simple and intuitive approach for analytically deriving unconditionally optimal (UO) policies, a topic of enduring interest in optimal monetary policy analysis. The approach can be employed to both general linear-quadratic problems and to the underlying non-linear environments. We provide a detailed example using a canonical New Keynesian framework.Unconditional expectations, optimal monetary policy.

Seigniorage-maximizing inflation

What is the seigniorage-maximizing level of inflation? Four models formulae for the seigniorage maximizing inflation rate (SMIR) are compared. Two sticky-price models arrive at very different quantitative recommendations although both predict somewhat lower SMIRs than Cagan’s formula and a variant of a .ex-price model due to Kimbrough (2006). The models differ markedly in how inflation distorts the labour market: The Calvo model implies that inflation and output are negatively related and that output is falling in price stickiness whilst the Rotemberg cost-of-price-adjustment model implies exactly the opposite. Interestingly, if our version of the Calvo model is to be believed, the level of inflation experienced recently in advanced economies such as the USA and the UK may be quite close to the SMIR.Price stickiness; Revenue maximizing inflation; Inflation tax; Seigniorage; price dispersion.

Some Welfare Implications of Optimal Stabilization Policy in an Economy with Capital and Sticky Prices

In this paper we review and extend some of the key lessons that seem to be emerging from the Ramsey-inspired theory of dynamic optimal monetary and fiscal policies. We construct measures of the key distortions in our economy; we label these ‘dynamic wedges’. Inflation, actual or anticipated, distorts these wedges in the present period, it shrinks the tax base and increases the deadlweight loss. We show that, if possible, labour as well as capital ought to be subsidized in steady state. We point to a number of extensions to the Ramsey literature that may help in the formulation of actual policy.Optimal taxation, aggregative monetary and fiscal policies.

Second Order Accurate Approximation to the Rotemberg Model Around a Distorted Steady State

Less is known about social welfare objectives when it is costly to change prices, as in Rotemberg (1982), compared with Calvo-type models. We derive a quadratic approximate welfare function around a distorted steady state for the costly price adjustment model. We highlight the similarities and differences to the Calvo setup. Both models imply inflation and output stabilization goals. It is explained why the degree of distortion in the economy influences inflation aversion in the Rotemberg framework in a way that differs from the Calvo setup.Price Stickiness, Rotemberg Model, Costly Price Adjustment.

Tax Progressivity, income Distribution and Tax Non-Compliance

This article examines the determinants of tax non-compliance when we recognise the existence of an imperfectly competitive "tax advice" industry supplying schemes which help taxpayers reduce their tax liability. We apply a traditional industrial organisation framework to model the behaviour of this industry. This tells us that an important factor determining the equilibrium price and hence, the level of noncompliance, is the convexity of the demand schedule. We show that in this context, this convexity is affected by the distribution of pre-tax income, the progressivity of the tax-schedule and the way in which monitoring and penalties vary with income. It is shown that lower pre-tax income inequality as well as a less progressive tax code may cause more tax minimisation activities. Therefore, the frequently advocated policy of reducing the highest tax rate may fail as a policy directed at improving tax discipline. One way of offsetting the possible harm to tax compliance from a less progressive tax could be an adjustment of the penalty and monitoring functions