Report

Self-Employment and Labor Market Risks

Abstract: I study the labor market risks associated with being self-employed. I document that the self-employed are subject to larger earnings fluctuations than employees and that they frequently transition into unemployment. Given that the self-employed are not eligible to unemployment insurance, I analyze the provision of benefits targeted at these risks using a calibrated search model with (i) precautionary savings, (ii) work opportunities in paid and self-employment, and (iii) skill heterogeneity. This exercise suggests that extending the current U.S. unemployment insurance scheme to the self-employed comes with a clear increase in the transition rate from self-employment to unemployment and an unequal benefits-to-contributions ratio across skill groups. At the calibrated parameters, the self-employed in the middle of the skill distribution lose welfare.

Keywords: self-employment; unemployment insurance; earnings dynamics;

JEL Classification: J40; J64; J65;

https://doi.org/10.59576/sr.1085

Bibliographic Information

Provider: Federal Reserve Bank of New York

Part of Series: Staff Reports

Publication Date: 2024-01-01

Number: 1085