Optimal illiquidity

Abstract

We study the socially optimal level of illiquidity in an economy populated by households with taste shocks and present bias with naive beliefs. The government chooses mandatory contributions to accounts, each with a different pre-retirement withdrawal penalty. Collected penalties are rebated lump sum. When households have homogeneous present bias, β<math><mi is="true">β</mi></math>, the social optimum is well approximated by a single account with an early-withdrawal penalty of 1−β<math><mrow is="true"><mn is="true">1</mn><mo linebreak="goodbreak" linebreakstyle="after" is="true">−</mo><mi is="true">β</mi></mrow></math>. When households have heterogeneous present bias, the social optimum is well approximated by a two-account system: (i) an account that is completely liquid and (ii) an account that is completely illiquid until retirement.