Aggregate savings under quasi-hyperbolic versus exponential discounting

Abstract

Using a measure of patience proposed by Myerson et al. (2001) and Caliendo and Findley (2014), this paper compares aggregate savings between exponential and quasi-hyperbolic discounters in two different models of economies: (1) the economy with linear technology and stochastic productivity shock and (2) a deterministic neoclassical growth model developed by Laibson (1997). This paper shows that intertemporal elasticity of substitution and growth rates have important roles in determining equilibrium savings of the two discounters.