In this paper, we show how to represent a non-Archimedean preference over a set of random quantities by a nonstandard utility function. Non-Archimedean preferences arise when some random quantities have no fair price. Two common situations give rise to non-Archimedean preferences: random quantities whose values must be greater than every real number, and strict preferences between random quantities that are deemed closer in value than every positive real number. We also show how to extend a non-Archimedean preference to a larger set of random quantities. The random quantities that we consider include real-valued random variables, horse lotteries, and acts in the theory of Savage. In addition, we weaken the state-independent utility assumptions made by the existing theories and give conditions under which the utility that represents preference is the expected value of a state-dependent utility with respect to a probability over states.

We investigate whether a benchmark and non-constant risk aversion affect the probability density distribution of optimal wealth at retirement. We maximize the expected utility of the ratio of pension wealth at retirement to an inflation-indexed benchmark. Together with a threshold and a lower bound, we are able to generate closed-form solutions. We find that this non-constant risk aversion type of utility could shift the probability density distribution of optimal wealth more towards the benchmark, and that the probability of achieving a certain percentage of the desired benchmark could be increased. The probability density distribution generated under constant relative risk aversion (CRRA) risk preference is more widely spread along the benchmark.

We formalize a consumption–investment–insurance problem with the distinction of a state-dependent relative risk aversion. The state dependence refers to the state of the finite state Markov chain that also formalizes insurable risks such as health and lifetime uncertainty. We derive and analyze the implicit solution to the problem, compare it with special cases in the literature, and illustrate the range of results in a disability model where the relative risk aversion is preserved, decreases, or increases upon disability.

Dybvig (1988) introduced the interesting problem of how to construct in the cheapest possible way a terminal wealth with desired distribution. This idea has induced a series of papers concerning generality, consequences, and applications. As the optimized claims typically follow the trend in the market, they are not useful for investors who wish to use them to protect an existing portfolio. For this reason, Bernard, Moraux, Rüschendorf and Vanduffel (2014b) imposed additional state-dependent constraints as a way of controlling the payoff structure. The present paper extends this work in various ways. In order to obtain optimal claims in general models we allow in this paper for extended contracts. We deal with general multivariate price processes and dispense with several of the regularity assumptions in the previous work (in particular, we omit any continuity assumption). State dependence is modeled by requiring terminal wealth to have a fixed copula with a benchmark wealth. In this setting, we are able to characterize optimal claims. We apply the theoretical results to deal with several hedging and expected utility maximization problems of interest.

We propose a new approach to utilities in (state) complete markets that is consistent with state-dependent utilities. Full solutions of the optimal consumption and portfolio problem are obtained in a very general setting which includes several functional forms for utilities used in the current literature, and consider general restrictions on allowable wealths. As a secondary result, we obtain a suitable representation for straightforward numerical computations of the optimal consumption and investment strategies. In our model, utilities reflect the level of consumption satisfaction of flows of cash in future times as they are (uniquely) valued by the market when the economic agents are making their consumption and investment decisions. The theoretical framework used for the model is the one proposed in Londoño (2008). We develop the martingale methodology for the solution of the problem of optimal consumption and investment in this setting.