Auswirkungen von Erbschaften und Schenkungen auf die Vermögensbildung privater Personen und Haushalte

This paper analyses the saving behaviour of German individuals and households aged between 30 and 50 with respect to inheritances and transfers inter vivos. The analysis is based on recent data of the German Socio-economic Panel. In crosssection regression analysis current wealth holdings are explained by past life-cycle income and transfers received. The results indicate a high propensity to save intergenerational transfers that include real estate. With regard to liquid assets the effects are less significant. Separating wealth classes with respect to lifecycle income shows that differences in saving propensities tend to make the distribution of wealth across households more equal.

Westerheide, Peter (2004), Auswirkungen von Erbschaften und Schenkungen auf die Vermögensbildung privater Personen und Haushalte, ZEW Discussion Paper No. 04-28, Mannheim.