Multi-period portfolio optimization in a defined contribution pension plan during the decumulation phase

Abstract

This paper studies a multi-period portfolio selection problem for retirees during the decumulation phase. We set a series of investment targets over time and aim to minimize the expected losses from the time of retirement to the time of compulsory annuitization by using a quadratic loss function. A target greater than the expected wealth is given and the corresponding explicit expressions for the optimal investment strategy are obtained. In addition, the withdrawal amount for daily life is assumed to be a linear function of the wealth level. Then according to the parameter value settings in the linear function, the withdrawal mechanism is classified as deterministic withdrawal, proportional withdrawal or combined withdrawal. The properties of the investment strategies, targets, bankruptcy probabilities and accumulated withdrawal amounts are compared under the three withdrawal mechanisms. Finally, numerical illustrations are presented to analyze the effects of the final target and the interest rate on some obtained results.