Article
AEA Papers and Proceedings

Present Bias Causes and Then Dissipates Auto-enrollment Savings Effects

By: John Beshears, James J. Choi, David Laibson and Peter Maxted

Format:Print

Abstract

Present bias causes procrastination, which leads households to stick with auto-enrollment defaults. However, present bias also engenders overconsumption. Separation from each employer generates a rollover of 401(k) balances to an individual retirement account (IRA) that is more liquid than the 401(k) account. Households with sufficient present bias will partially or fully deplete these rollover IRAs before retirement. Present-biased agents may be whipsawed by auto-enrollment. They follow their employer's default while still employed and then spend some or all of the new savings shortly after they separate from each employer.

Keywords

Present Bias; Procrastination; Personal Finance; Decision Making; Social Psychology; Retirement

Citation

Beshears, John, James J. Choi, David Laibson, and Peter Maxted. "Present Bias Causes and Then Dissipates Auto-enrollment Savings Effects." AEA Papers and Proceedings 112 (May 2022): 136–141.