Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://hdl.handle.net/10419/93223
Year of Publication: 
2014
Series/Report no.: 
SFB 649 Discussion Paper No. 2014-019
Publisher: 
Humboldt University of Berlin, Collaborative Research Center 649 - Economic Risk, Berlin
Abstract: 
In this paper we investigate the impact of the recent US unemployment benefits extension on the labor market dynamic when the nominal interest rate is held at the zero lower bound (ZLB). Using a New Keynesian model, our quantitative experiments suggest that, in contrast to the existing literature that ignores the liquidity trap situation, unemployment benefits expansions cause a wage and inflationary pressure which curb the increase in real interest rate and slightly reduce unemployment at the ZLB. Outside the ZLB, it has adverse effects, meaning that unemployment insurance benefits should be adjusted according to the macroeconomic conditions if the scope is to reduce unemployment. Furthermore, the ZLB amplifies the labor market downturn. An unconstrained monetary policy rule, i.e. negative interest rate, could have reduced the unemployment rate by around 1 percentage point in the trough of the recession.
Subjects: 
Zero lower bound
New Keynesian models
Matching frictions
Monetary policy
Unemployment benefits extensions
JEL: 
E24
E31
E32
E43
E52
E62
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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