Wealth Inequality, Wealth Mobility and Inter-Generational Transfers in the United States: An Empirical and Theoretical Investigation

Wealth inequality in the United States has increased substantially since the 1980s, while inter-generational wealth mobility has declined. At the same time, the ratio of inherited wealth to aggregate wealth has risen. What role do inter-generational transfers play in explaining these trends? This research project addresses this question through both empirical and theoretical work.