Johnson's study helps analyze thriving economy

February 23, 2022

A recent Washington Post article used a paper co-authored by David Johnson, director of the Panel Study of Income Dynamics, and Ford School professor by courtesy, to analyze American bank accounts. 

"People were much slower to spend their government checks during the pandemic than they were during similar programs in 2001 and 2008, according to a new analysis," the Post wrote.  "To accurately measure savings, the JPMC Institute data only includes those with bank accounts and income (of at least $12,000 a year) during the past three years. That sample leaves out many of the people who needed the stimulus most and who, according to (the) research, were mostly likely to rapidly spend the payments as they arrived. That population may still be struggling, but it won't be reflected in today's data."

Read the article and Johnson's paper: