Are 401(K) Saving Rates Changing? Cohort/Period Evidence from the Health and Retirement Study

29 Pages Posted: 22 Sep 2009

See all articles by Irena Dushi

Irena Dushi

U.S. Social Security Administration

Marjorie Honig

Hunter College, City University of New York - Department of Economics

Date Written: October 1, 2007

Abstract

This research examines the determinants of eligibility and participation in 401(k) plans using two cross-sections of data from the Health and Retirement Study. Our sample consists of workers ages 51-56 representing two cohorts: the original HRS cohort born 1931-41, first interviewed in 1992, and the Early Baby Boomer (EBB) cohort born 1948-53, interviewed in 2004. Participation in 401(k) pensions in the EBB cohort is nearly 50 percent greater than that of the earlier cohort. This substantial growth in 401(k) plan participation over a relatively brief period may reflect intrinsic differences in tastes between the two cohorts, changes over this period in the external environment regarding retirement saving, or the joint effects of both influences.

Suggested Citation

Dushi, Irena and Honig, Marjorie, Are 401(K) Saving Rates Changing? Cohort/Period Evidence from the Health and Retirement Study (October 1, 2007). Michigan Retirement Research Center Research Paper No. 2007-160, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1476951 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1476951

Irena Dushi (Contact Author)

U.S. Social Security Administration ( email )

Washington, DC 20254
United States

Marjorie Honig

Hunter College, City University of New York - Department of Economics ( email )

695 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10021
United States
212-772-5397 (Phone)
212-772-5398 (Fax)

Do you have negative results from your research you’d like to share?

Paper statistics

Downloads
43
Abstract Views
605
PlumX Metrics