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ABSTRACT:
A parametric and a semiparametric model produce qualitatively similar estimates of government policy effects on income distribution and welfare (as measured by the Gini, standard deviation of logarithms, relative mean deviation, coefficient of variation, and various Atkinson indexes). Taxes and the Earned Income Tax Credit are an effective way to redistribute income to the poor and raise welfare. The minimum wage lowers welfare. Social insurance programs have little effect except for Supplemental Security Income, which raises welfare. Transfer programs (AFDC/TANF and food stamps) either have no statistically significant effect or lower welfare.

SUGGESTED CITATION:
Ximing Wu, Jeffrey M. Perloff, and Amos Golan, "Effects of Government Policies on Income Distribution and Welfare" (February 1, 2002). Institute for Research on Labor and Employment. Institute for Research on Labor and Employment Working Paper Series. Paper iirwps-086-02.
http://repositories.cdlib.org/iir/iirwps/iirwps-086-02