Laurence Kotlikoff

Laurence Kotlikoff. He is an American economist renowned for his work in public finance, generational accounting, and economic security. A professor at Boston University and a research associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research, his research focuses on fiscal policy, Social Security, and taxation. Kotlikoff is a prominent public intellectual who frequently contributes to policy debates through media appearances and bestselling books.

Early life and education

Kotlikoff completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Pennsylvania. He then pursued graduate work in economics at Harvard University, where he earned his Ph.D. under the mentorship of influential economists. His doctoral dissertation laid groundwork for his later research into intergenerational equity and long-term fiscal policy, themes that would define his career. This academic foundation at prestigious institutions positioned him for a career at the intersection of rigorous economic modeling and applied public policy.

Academic career and research

Kotlikoff has spent the majority of his academic career as a professor of economics at Boston University. He is also a longstanding research associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research, where he contributes to studies on aging and pensions. His seminal contribution is the development of generational accounting, a method for measuring the long-term sustainability of government fiscal policy across different birth cohorts. This work has been influential in analyses of systems like Social Security and Medicare. His research employs sophisticated computable general equilibrium models to simulate the effects of tax reform and entitlement reform.

Public policy and economic security

Kotlikoff is a leading voice in debates on fiscal sustainability and economic security. He has testified before the United States Congress on issues related to the federal budget and entitlement programs. He co-developed the Economic Security Planner, a sophisticated software tool for personal financial planning. A frequent critic of official government debt measures, he argues for broader accounting of unfunded liabilities. His policy proposals often advocate for major reforms to the U.S. tax code and the adoption of systems like progressive consumption taxation to enhance economic growth and fairness.

Publications and media presence

Kotlikoff is the author of numerous academic articles and several bestselling books aimed at a general audience, including The Coming Generational Storm and Get What's Yours. He writes a regular column for Forbes and has contributed to The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and Bloomberg News. He is a frequent guest on financial news networks such as CNBC, Bloomberg Television, and NPR, discussing retirement planning, tax policy, and the fiscal cliff. His ability to translate complex economic concepts into accessible advice has made him a prominent media figure.

Personal life and recognition

Residing in Boston, Kotlikoff is married to Sonia Kotlikoff, a professor of classics. His work has earned him recognition within the economics profession, including grants from institutions like the National Science Foundation and the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. While not a recipient of the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences, his research is widely cited in academic and policy circles. He maintains an active public speaking schedule, often addressing organizations like the Council on Foreign Relations and the World Bank on global fiscal challenges.

Category:American economists Category:Boston University faculty Category:21st-century American economists