Institutions and Inclusion in Saving Policy

BUILDING ASSETS, BUILDING WEALTH; CREATING WEALTH IN LOW-INCOME COMMUNITIES, N. Retsinas and E. Belsky, eds., Brookings Press, 2005

50 Pages Posted: 13 May 2005

See all articles by Michael S. Barr

Michael S. Barr

University of Michigan Law School; University of Michigan at Ann Arbor - Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy; University of Michigan, Center on Finance, Law, and Policy

Michael W. Sherraden

Washington University in St. Louis - George Warren Brown School of Social Work

Abstract

The poor must save, not only to qualify for and pay off credit, but also for key purchases such as clothing for the start of a child's school year; life course events, such as births, weddings, and funerals; and emergencies, such as car repair, illness, or job loss. Recent applied research has contributed to our understanding of the potential importance of saving by low-income households. Yet saving by the poor is a largely overlooked topic in the United States, and public policy has largely ignored or marginalized saving policy for the poor. This is particularly striking given the recent rhetoric of the Bush administration about the ownership society. In this chapter we first develop an institutional theory of saving, which is provisional and in need of more empirical testing. We then explore in practice how existing institutions promote dis-saving among the poor. We also look at how policies to change these institutional structures could promote saving among these households. We also analyze current proposals that move in the opposite direction, largely benefiting the highest-income taxpayers whose net saving behavior is least likely to be influenced by the policies. Instead of focusing on additional saving proposals that benefit the upper end of the income scale, public policy should focus on building wealth among the least well-off. A sound policy would aim for inclusion of everyone in saving and asset accumulation.

Keywords: Banking, Financial Institutions, Regulation, Law & Economics, Development Economics, Law, Institutions, & Development

JEL Classification: D10, D60, G21, I38, K20, O16

Suggested Citation

Barr, Michael S. and Sherraden, Michael W., Institutions and Inclusion in Saving Policy. BUILDING ASSETS, BUILDING WEALTH; CREATING WEALTH IN LOW-INCOME COMMUNITIES, N. Retsinas and E. Belsky, eds., Brookings Press, 2005, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=722616

Michael S. Barr (Contact Author)

University of Michigan Law School ( email )

625 South State Street
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1215
United States
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734-936-7514 (Fax)

University of Michigan at Ann Arbor - Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy ( email )

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4th Floor
Ann Arbor, MI 48109
United States

University of Michigan, Center on Finance, Law, and Policy ( email )

735 S. State Street, Suite 5211
Ann Arbor, MI 48109
United States

Michael W. Sherraden

Washington University in St. Louis - George Warren Brown School of Social Work ( email )

St. Louis, MO 63130
United States
+1 314 935-6691 (Phone)
+1 314 935-8511 (Fax)

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