Title: Terminal wealth problem under uncertainty: how to choose the right asset mix in case of dependent random payments

Authors: Ales Ahcan, Grzegorz Darkiewicz-Moniuszko, Tom Hoedemakers

Addresses: Faculty of Economics, University of Ljubljana, Kardeljeva ploscad 17, Ljubljana SI-1000, Slovenia. ' KBC Asset Management, Havenlaan 6, Brussels 1080, Belgium. ' Faculty of Business and Economics, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Naamsestraat 69, Leuven, Belgium; AG Insurance, Emile Jacqmainlaan 53, Brussels 1000, Belgium

Abstract: We develop an approximate solution method for a classical saving for retirement problem in case of random payment scheme and value at risk (VaR) defined investor preferences. As the results of our numerical calculations indicate our approximate approach provides greater accuracy and reduces simulation time required for computing certain risk measures. One should note that our approximate approach is in no way restrictive and applies only to VaR defined preferences; our approximating sequence adequately describes the distribution function of terminal wealth, thus also making solutions accurate in case of utility defined preferences.

Keywords: financial models; approximating methods; savings; risk measurement; terminal wealth; wealth problems; uncertainty; asset mix; dependent payments; random payments; approximate solutions; retirement; value at risk; investor preferences; simulation times; risk measures; distribution function; utility defined preferences; sustainability; sustainable development; sustainable economy.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSE.2011.041107

International Journal of Sustainable Economy, 2011 Vol.3 No.3, pp.294 - 311

Published online: 08 Jul 2011 *

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