The Effect of Pensions on Longevity: Evidence from Union Army Veterans

35 Pages Posted: 2 Apr 2007

See all articles by Martin Salm

Martin Salm

Tilburg University; IZA Institute of Labor Economics

Date Written: March 2007

Abstract

This study uses changes in pension laws for Union Army veterans as a natural experiment to estimate the causal effect of pensions on longevity, and to examine potential pathways underlying such a relationship. We examine the effects of the pension laws of 1907 and 1912, which granted old-age pensions to Union Army veterans. Life expectancy for veterans, who received such a pension, increased by 0.5 years and 2.7 years, respectively. The effect of veteran pensions on longevity was large across wealth groups and size of city. Pensions reduced mortality for both acute and non-acute causes of death.

Keywords: health gradient, pensions, mortality, Union Army veterans

JEL Classification: I12, J14, N41

Suggested Citation

Salm, Martin, The Effect of Pensions on Longevity: Evidence from Union Army Veterans (March 2007). IZA Discussion Paper No. 2668, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=977517 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.977517

Martin Salm (Contact Author)

Tilburg University ( email )

P.O. Box 90153
Tilburg, DC Noord-Brabant 5000 LE
Netherlands

IZA Institute of Labor Economics

Schaumburg-Lippe-Str. 7 / 9
Bonn, D-53072
Germany

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