Regular biography
James Michael Poterba is the Mitsui Professor of Economics at MIT and the President of the National Bureau of Economic Research. His research focuses on how taxation affects the economic decisions of households and firms, particularly those involving saving and portfolio behavior. Dr. Poterba's recent work has analyzed the determinants of retirement saving, the draw-down of assets after retirement, and the role of tax-deferred retirement saving programs in contributing to retirement security. He is a trustee of the College Retirement Equity Fund (CREF), the TIAA-CREF mutual funds, and the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. Dr. Poterba has served in leadership roles at several professional associations and is a member of the National Academy of Sciences.
Scholar-generated biography
James Poterba is the Mitsui Professor of Economics at MIT, specializing in the Economics of Taxation and Retirement Saving. His research explores the impact of tax policies on individual and household behavior, particularly in areas such as retirement savings, housing markets, and the taxation of capital income. Poterba's work also examines the role of fiscal institutions in shaping government responses to economic crises. His publications frequently address the interplay between taxation, asset markets, and demographic trends, offering insights into how public policy influences private decision-making. His research has significant implications for understanding the long-term effects of fiscal policy on economic stability and individual welfare.