This paper considers the question of why the annuity market is thin. A model is presented in which consumers have the option of purchasing annuities before discovering their survival probability; they can then recontract the initial choice after the resolution of this form of uncertainty. It is shown that consumers purchase insurance against their own survival-probability type at a very young age and do not undertake further transactions. This characterization is then used to analze the effects of introducing future income uncertainty and to investigate the trade-off between old age insurance motive and portfilio flexibility.
Authors
![Agar Brugiavini](/sites/default/files/styles/square_desktop/public/2022-07/Agar%20Brugiavini_0.jpg?itok=1g0Cw4qs)
Research Fellow Ca' Foscari University of Venice
Agar is a Research Fellow of the IFS and a Professor in the Department of Economics at the University of Venice,
Journal article details
- DOI
- 10.1016/0047-2727(93)90059-3
- Publisher
- Elsevier B.V.
- Issue
- January 1993
Suggested citation
Brugiavini, A. (1993). 'Uncertainty resolution and the timing of annuity purchases' (1993)
More from IFS
Understand this issue
![Isabel Stockton](/sites/default/files/styles/square_desktop/public/2024-06/Isabel-public-finances.jpg?itok=JfdJNN7F)
What are the challenges in getting debt on a falling path?
28 June 2024
![Microphone](/sites/default/files/styles/square_desktop/public/2024-06/Microphone.jpg?itok=soM7Wvbz)
Election Special: Your questions answered
27 June 2024
![Tom Waters](/sites/default/files/styles/square_desktop/public/2024-06/tom%20waters.jpg?itok=faDtwS3F)
What is the two-child limit in benefits?
27 June 2024
Policy analysis
![Welsh town with mountains behind](/sites/default/files/styles/square_desktop/public/2024-06/Welsh-town-feature.jpg?itok=5axb5wZn)
How would the parties’ tax and spending plans affect Scotland and Wales?
28 June 2024
![Breakfast club](/sites/default/files/styles/square_desktop/public/2024-06/Breakfast-club.jpg?itok=dEyGgrwT)
Free breakfast clubs in schools: what Labour’s plans would mean for pupils and families
25 June 2024
![Man putting vote into ballot box](/sites/default/files/styles/square_desktop/public/2022-07/Man-putting-vote-into-ballot-box.jpg?itok=Pa6g41dr)
General Election 2024: Manifesto Analysis Presentations
24 June 2024
Academic research
![Fiscal Studies - 2024 - June cover](/sites/default/files/styles/portrait/public/2024-06/Fiscal%20Studies%20-%202024%20-%20-%20June%20cover.jpg?itok=mQEwRc_w)
Fiscal Studies: Volume 45, Issue 2
28 June 2024
![Fiscal Studies - 2024 - June cover](/sites/default/files/styles/portrait/public/2024-06/Fiscal%20Studies%20-%202024%20-%20-%20June%20cover.jpg?itok=mQEwRc_w)
Income inequality in Ireland, 1987–2019
28 June 2024
![Fiscal Studies - 2024 - June cover](/sites/default/files/styles/portrait/public/2024-06/Fiscal%20Studies%20-%202024%20-%20-%20June%20cover.jpg?itok=mQEwRc_w)
Inequality in Denmark, 1987–2021
28 June 2024