摘要:

This paper examines two different approaches to the estimation of the size distribution of wealth. The first section describes new estimates for the distribution in Britain in 1968 using the estate method and discusses the sensitivity of the results to the main assumptions. The second section presents preliminary estimates using the investment data, a method which has not been widely used. In the final section the results obtained for the upper tail of the distribution from the two methods are compared.

ISSN:0034-6586    

DOI:10.1111/j.1475-4991.1974.tb00914.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1974

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

This essay focuses on the problems of estimating the share of America's personal wealth in the hands of affluent individuals by a technique known as the estate multiplier method. Rather than exploring these problems in an empirical vacuum, we first present some results from the most recent estimates of the distribution of U.S. personal wealth.1The estimates—for the year 1969—are then used as a basis for gauging the sensitivity of estate multiplier estimates to variations in approach.Section I presents new empirical findings dealing with the asset holdings of top wealth‐holders and the super rich, and with the shares of specific assets owned by them. Also presented is information about the sex and marital status of the super rich.Section II discusses various technical aspects of the estate multiplier as applied to federal estate tax returns. The main concern is with the weighting process, but attention is paid to the fact that estate tax returns filed in a given year are not for decedents who died in that year or any single year, and to the problems of adjusting the face value of life insurance to cash surrender

ISSN:0034-6586    

DOI:10.1111/j.1475-4991.1974.tb00915.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1974

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

This paper presents the results of applying the mortality multiplier approach to estate duty statistics in order to estimate the size distribution of personal wealth in the Republic of Ireland. It commences with an examination of the limitations of the estate duty statistics, a discussion of the problems involved in collecting the data, and a short consideration of the mortality multipliers used.Estimates are presented for the size distribution of personal wealth, and the distribution of wealth between age groups. Some comparisons are given with wealth in Northern Ireland, Great Britain and the U.S.A. Estimates of the components of personal capital were not found possible.Finally, preliminary estimates are made for the distribution of wealth among married and single persons, in order to provide the basis for an analysis of wealth possessed by wealth‐owning units (defined as single males, single females and married couples). By making extreme assumptions, upper and lower limits are placed on the actual pattern of the size distribution of wealth by wealth‐owning un

ISSN:0034-6586    

DOI:10.1111/j.1475-4991.1974.tb00916.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1974

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

The only periodic data available in Canada on the asset holdings and net worth of the household sector are data collected through a series of household surveys originally initiated in 1954. Some limited data on the holdings of financial claims by the personal and unincorporated business sector are available from flow of funds work. Data are unavailable for estimation from estate tax returns.The scope of the surveys has been expanded substantially so that the most recent survey obtained a very comprehensive list of asset holdings. The experience with Canadian surveys has been similar to that of other countries; surveys appear to underestimate asset holdings although the estimates are more reliable for widely held assets than for assets with a very skewed distribution. Nevertheless, the surveys appear to trace the accumulated distribution of personal savings over time to a considerable degree and provide useful cross‐sectional trend data.Canadian data show that wealth is more unequally distributed among family units than is income although wealth appears to be more equally distributed between income groups than is income. Wealth is also very unequally distributed within the same income group. Over time, there appears to have been some movement towards a more equal distribution of asset holdings between income group

ISSN:0034-6586    

DOI:10.1111/j.1475-4991.1974.tb00917.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1974

数据来源: WILEY

ISSN:0034-6586    

DOI:10.1111/j.1475-4991.1974.tb00918.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1974

数据来源: WILEY

ISSN:0034-6586    

DOI:10.1111/j.1475-4991.1974.tb00919.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1974

数据来源: WILEY

ISSN:0034-6586    

DOI:10.1111/j.1475-4991.1974.tb00920.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1974

数据来源: WILEY