In many dynamic decision problems, the relevant market prices and budget constraints are random variables whose realizations lie in the future. This makes optimal decision-making difficult as optimality requires an accurate quantification and interpretation of the dynamic processes operating in the market. The studies in this project model and test the agents’ expectations about relevant...
The project attempts to bridge the gap between national accounts income aggregates and inequality studies based on micro data for Germany more systematically. We combine personal income tax statistics, household surveys such as the German Socio-Economic Panel (SOEP), and national accounts data on income distribution in a comprehensive and consistent manner to build “Distributional National...
Working from home can benefit work–family balance, but, due to the gendered meaning of flexibility, risks increasing the unequal allocation of unpaid care work in couples. Does working from home increase the within-couple gender care gap? To address this question, we use linear panel data models based on German Socio-Economic Panel data from 1997 to 2014. The results indicate that working...
The project analyses the effects of the statutory minimum wage on poverty in Germany. We use the Socio-Economic Panel (SOEP) to examine the development of income poverty. Using a microsimulation model, the project studies the effect of minimum wages on social benefits.
Completed Project| Public Economics, German Socio-Economic Panel study
Scarce resources, the rising demand for agricultural products and growing land-use competition between the production of energy and food have increased the importance of strategies for food security. In the research project “Global Food Markets: Global Food Security – Challenges for Production and Consumption” both supply and demand-oriented approaches that can realize...
Completed Project| Firms and Markets, Public Economics
The Green Guarantee Pension is designed to ensure that people who have worked the majority of their lives, brought up children, looked after other people or have acquired other rights under the statutory pension insurance (Gesetzliche Rentenversicherung) receive a pension in old age that is above the means-tested basic pension. The Guarantee Pension increases pension entitlements within the...
In this study, we analyze a reform to better balance income taxation, social contributions and means-tested social benefits. In order to relieve low-wage earners and middle classes, the employee contributions to social security are to be integrated into the personal income tax and the top income tax rates are to be increased. In addition, families with low and middle income are to be relieved and...