Longevity Perceptions and Saving Decisions During the COVID-19 Outbreak: An Experimental Investigation

Abstract

We experimentally study individuals’ perceptions about and advice to others regarding retirement savings and annuitization during the pandemic. Many people recommend that others save more for retirement, but those most affected by the pandemic tell others to save and annuitize less. We investigate two possible channels for this result and show that the pandemic does not substantially alter optimism regarding survival probabilities. Hence, we conclude that economic factors are driving our results. Consequently, some financial ramifications of the COVID-19 outbreak are yet to be revealed, as the pandemic is having longer-term effects on peoples’ willingness to save and annuitize.

Keywords: retirement expectations, annuity, longevity, life expectancy, framing, behavioral economics, household finance

JEL Classification: G5, G4, J26