Writing a will can improve the transmission of wealth across generations by preventing the dissipation of assets – such as a family home divided among multiple heirs – and by encouraging donors to save for their beneficiaries. Despite the advantages of having a will, the percentage of households with a will is surprisingly low…
The rising cost of employer contributions to employer-sponsored health insurance (ESHI) can slow wage growth and erode the Social Security wage base. Both these effects were evident in the decades before 2005, as ESHI increased as a share of compensation. Fortunately, the ratio of ESHI contributions to compensation plateaued after 2005, stabilizing wages and halting…