The Effects of Special Saving Programs on Saving and Wealth

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Working Paper Number: SEHSD-WP1996-13 or SIPP-WP-213

Abstract

Individual saving through targeted retirement saving accounts—IRAs and 401(k)s—grew rapidly in the United States during the 1980s. The microeconomic evidence presented in this paper suggests that most of the contributions to these programs represent new saving that would not otherwise have occurred. The micro evidence is compared with macro saving measured by National Income and Product Accounts and Flow of Funds data.

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