How Much Cohort Inequality can be Explained by Socio-Economic Status-Based Mortality Differences?

34 Pages Posted: 13 Dec 2019

See all articles by Thomas L. Hungerford

Thomas L. Hungerford

National Academy of Social Insurance (NASI); Independent

Date Written: September 27, 2019

Abstract

Several studies have found mortality differences by income level — higher income individuals tend to live longer — and these differences have been growing over time. This differential mortality could affect measured cohort income inequality because the bottom of the income distribution will become relatively sparse as a cohort ages. This study examines the role played by differential mortality in the course of cohort income inequality as a cohort ages from the late preretirement years to old-age. The results show that differential mortality explains little of cohort income inequality and little of the changes in income inequality. Mortality bias does not appear to effect cohort inequality trends.

Keywords: differential mortality, income inequality, retirement

JEL Classification: D30, D63

Suggested Citation

Hungerford, Thomas L., How Much Cohort Inequality can be Explained by Socio-Economic Status-Based Mortality Differences? (September 27, 2019). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3494487 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3494487

Thomas L. Hungerford (Contact Author)

National Academy of Social Insurance (NASI) ( email )

1776 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
Suite 615
Washington, DC 20036-1904
United States

Independent ( email )

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