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The Output Cost of Inheritance
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Date
2025-11
Publication Type
Working Paper
ETH Bibliography
yes
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Abstract
We study how inheritance affects labor supply over the life cycle, and we quantify its aggregate impact. Tracking earnings histories around some 135,000 inheritances and 5,000 lottery wins, we exploit the quasi-random timing and size of these events to identify labor supply responses with high precision. Earnings responses are negative at all ages but peak between ages 55 and 64, largely due to early retirement. Inheritances generate smaller impact responses than comparable lottery wins, consistent with anticipation effects. Our estimates match the predictions of a life-cycle model with endogenous labor supply and early retirement. Aggregating model-based responses across the population, our point estimate of the GDP cost of inheritance is 1.1%. The timing, size, and anticipation of inheritance all contribute to shaping its macroeconomic consequences.
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Journal / series
Volume
Pages / Article No.
12255
Publisher
CESifo
Event
Edition / version
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Software
Geographic location
Date collected
Date created
Subject
Inheritance; Laor supply; Lottery wins; Life-cycle effects
Organisational unit
02525 - KOF Konjunkturforschungsstelle / KOF Swiss Economic Institute
06338 - KOF FB KOF Lab / KOF FB KOF Lab
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item-metadata-list-element.reverse.undefined: https://doi.org/10.3929/ethz-c-000788639