Pension and Social Security Wealth in the Health and Retirement Study

Gustman, Alan L.; Mitchell, Olivia S.; Samwick, Andrew A.; Steinmeier, Thomas L.

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Pension and Social Security Wealth in the Health and Retirement Study

NBER Working Paper No. w5912

129 Pages Posted: 16 Oct 1999 Last revised: 20 Apr 2022

See all articles by Alan L. Gustman

Alan L. Gustman

Dartmouth College - Department of Economics; National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)

Olivia S. Mitchell

University of Pennsylvania - The Wharton School, Pension Research Council; University of Pennsylvania - The Wharton School; National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)

Andrew A. Samwick

Dartmouth College - Department of Economics; National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)

Thomas L. Steinmeier

Texas Tech University - Department of Economics and Geography

There are 2 versions of this paper

Date Written: February 1997

Abstract

Together, pensions, social security and health insurance account for half of the wealth held by all households in the Health and Retirement Study (HRS), for 60 percent of total wealth of HRS households who are in the 45th to 55th wealth percentiles, and even for 48 percent of wealth for those in the 90th to 95th wealth percentiles. The HRS surveys households aged 51 to 61 in 1992, and obtains pension plan descriptions from respondents' employers. Pension accrual profiles, income and wealth distributions by type, wealth-income ratios and accrued wealth by pension status are also explored.

Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation

Gustman, Alan L. and Mitchell, Olivia S. and Samwick, Andrew A. and Steinmeier, Thomas L., Pension and Social Security Wealth in the Health and Retirement Study (February 1997). NBER Working Paper No. w5912, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=183319