Time-inconsistent Control Problem Research Articles

Equilibrium dividend strategies for spectrally negative Lévy processes with time value of ruin and random time horizon

In the spectrally negative Lévy risk model, we investigate the absolutely continuous dividend problem with a general discount function, which results in a time-inconsistent control problem. Under the assumptions of a time value of ruin and an exponential time horizon, we study the equilibrium dividend strategies within a game theoretic framework for the return function composed by the discount expected dividend before the ruin. Using the technique of extended Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman system of equations, we show the verification theorem and give the property of return function. For a mixture of exponential discount function, we obtain closed-form equilibrium dividend strategies and the corresponding equilibrium value functions in both a Cramér–Lundberg model and its diffusion approximation. In addition, some numerical examples are presented to discuss the impacts of some parameters on the control problem.

Equilibrium periodic dividend strategies with non-exponential discounting for spectrally positive Lévy processes

<p style='text-indent:20px;'>In the dual risk model, we study the periodic dividend problem with a non-exponential discount function which results in a time-inconsistent control problem. Viewing it within the game theoretic framework, we extend the Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman (HJB) system of equations from the fixed terminal to the time of ruin and derive the verification theorem, and we generalize the theory of classical optimal periodic dividend. Under two special non-exponential discount functions, we obtain the closed-form expressions of equilibrium strategy and the corresponding equilibrium value function in a compound Poisson dual model. Finally, some numerical examples are presented to illustrate the impact of some parameters.

Closed-Loop Equilibrium for Time-Inconsistent McKean--Vlasov Controlled Problem

The paper deals with a class of time-inconsistent control problems for McKean-Vlasov dynamics. By solving a backward time-inconsistent Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman (HJB for short) equation coupled with a forward distribution-dependent stochastic differential equation, we investigate the existence and uniqueness of a closed-loop equilibrium for such time-inconsistent distribution-dependent control problem. Moreover, a special case of semi-linear McKean-Vlasov dynamics with a quadratic-type cost functional is considered due to its special structure.

Consumption-leisure-investment strategies with time-inconsistent preference in a life-cycle model

This paper investigates a consumption-leisure-investment problem, where the object of an economic agent is to maximize the expected value of discounted lifetime utility in a life-cycle model. The agent is allowed to have considerable labor flexibility and the date of retirement is fixed. To incorporate some well-documented behavioral features of human beings, we consider the situation where the discounting is non-exponential. This situation is far from trivial and renders the optimization problem of the agent to be a nonstandard one, namely, a time-inconsistent stochastic control problem. The extended HJB equation for the time-inconsistent control problem is given. A verification theorem is proved for a general discount function and a general utility function. Explicit-form solutions are presented for the logarithmic utility with exponential discounting, pseudo-exponential discounting and hyperbolic discounting.

Stochastic Optimal Control of Investment and Dividend Payment Model under Debt Control with Time-Inconsistency

This paper considers the optimal debt ratio, investment, and dividend payment policies for insurers with time-inconsistency. The surplus process of an insurance company is determined by the change of asset value and the change of liabilities. The asset can be invested in financial market which contains a risky asset and a risk-free asset, and when the insurer incurs a liability, he/she earns some premium. The objective is to maximize the expected nonconstant discounted utility of dividend payment until a determinate time. This is a time-inconsistent control problem. We obtain the modified HJB equation and the closed-form expressions for the optimal debt ratio, investment, and dividend payment policies under logarithmic utility.

Time-inconsistent consumption-investment problem for a member in a defined contribution pension plan

In this paper, we investigate the consumption-investment problem for a member of the defined contribution pension plan with non-constant time preferences. The aim of the member is to maximize the discounted utility of the consumption. It leads to a time-inconsistent control problem in the sense that the Bellman optimality principle does no longer hold. In our model, the contribution rate is assumed to be a fixed proportion of the scheme member's salary, and the pension fund can be invested in a risk-free asset, an index bond and a stock whose return follows a geometric Brownian motion. Two utility functions are considered: the power utility and the logarithmic utility. We characterize the time-consistent equilibrium consumption-investment strategies and the value function in terms of a solution of an integral equation in both situations. The existence and uniqueness of the solution is verified and the approximation of the solution is obtained. We present some numerical results of the equilibrium consumption rate and equilibrium investment policy with three types of discount functions.

On dividend strategies with non-exponential discounting

In this paper, we study the dividend maximization problem with a non-constant discount rate in a diffusion risk model. We assume that the dividends can only be paid at a bounded rate and restrict ourselves to Markov strategies. This is a time inconsistent control problem. The equilibrium HJB-equation is given and the verification theorem is proven for a general discount function. Considering a mixture of exponential discount functions and a pseudo-exponential discount function, we get equilibrium dividend strategies and the corresponding equilibrium value functions by solving the equilibrium HJB-equations.