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Why do couples and singles save during retirement?

Author

Listed:
  • Mariacristina De Nardi

    (Institute for Fiscal Studies and University of Minnesota and Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis)

  • Eric French

    (Institute for Fiscal Studies and University College London and University of Cambridge)

  • John Bailey Jones

    (Institute for Fiscal Studies)

  • Rory McGee

    (Institute for Fiscal Studies and University of Western Ontario)

Abstract
While the savings of retired singles tend to fall with age, those of retired couples tend to rise. We estimate a rich model of retired singles and couples with bequest motives and uncertain longevity and medical expenses. Our estimates imply that while medical expenses are an important driver of the savings of middle-income singles, bequest motives matter for couples and high-income singles, and generate transfers to non-spousal heirs whenever a household mem-ber dies. The interaction of medical expenses and bequest motives is a crucial determinant of savings for all retirees. Hence, to understand savings, it is important to model household structure, medical expenses, and bequest motives.

Suggested Citation

  • Mariacristina De Nardi & Eric French & John Bailey Jones & Rory McGee, 2021. "Why do couples and singles save during retirement?," IFS Working Papers W21/12, Institute for Fiscal Studies.
    • Handle: RePEc:ifs:ifsewp:21/12
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Philippe De Donder & Marie‐Louise Leroux, 2021. "Long term care insurance with state‐dependent preferences," Health Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 30(12), pages 3074-3086, December.
    3. Stefano Castaldo, "undated". "Retirement and investment decisions: evidence from the receipt of a liquidity infusion," "Marco Fanno" Working Papers 0313, Dipartimento di Scienze Economiche "Marco Fanno".
    4. Gobbi, Paula Eugenia & Baudin, Thomas & De Rock, Bram, 2021. "Economics and family structures," CEPR Discussion Papers 16516, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    5. Etgeton, Stefan & Fischer, Björn & Ye, Han, 2023. "The effect of increasing retirement age on households’ savings and consumption expenditure," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 221(C).
    6. Fonseca, Raquel & Moro-Egido, Ana I. & Morin, Hugo, 2024. "Stress and retirement," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 131(C).
    7. Kárpáti, Daniel, 2023. "Essays in finance & health," Other publications TiSEM 5505e140-1f4d-4f61-a5a5-e, Tilburg University, School of Economics and Management.
    8. Karolos Arapakis & Eric French & John Bailey Jones & Jeremy McCauley, 2022. "How Redistributive Are Public Health Care Schemes? Evidence from Medicare and Medicaid in Old Age," Working Papers wp441, University of Michigan, Michigan Retirement Research Center.
    9. Jean-Baptiste Michau & Yoshiyasu Ono & Matthias Schlegl, 2023. "The Preference for Wealth and Inequality: Towards a Piketty Theory of Wealth Inequality," Working Papers 2023-11, Center for Research in Economics and Statistics.
    10. Ross Abram & Margherita Borella & Mariacristina De Nardi & Rory McGee & Nicolò Russo, 2024. "Health Inequality and Economic Disparities by Race, Ethnicity, and Gender," Opportunity and Inclusive Growth Institute Working Papers 099, Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis.
    11. van der Vaart, J & Groneck, M & van Ooijen, R, 2024. "Health Inequalities and the Progressivity of Old-Age Social Insurance Programs," Health, Econometrics and Data Group (HEDG) Working Papers 24/20, HEDG, c/o Department of Economics, University of York.
    12. Adrien Auclert & Hannes Malmberg & Frederic Martenet & Matthew Rognlie, 2021. "Demographics, Wealth, and Global Imbalances in the Twenty-First Century," NBER Working Papers 29161, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    13. Advani, Arun & Summers, Andy, 2022. "Measuring and taxing top incomes and wealth," The Warwick Economics Research Paper Series (TWERPS) 1403, University of Warwick, Department of Economics.
    14. FUKAI Taiyo & ICHIMURA Hidehiko & KITAO Sagiri & MIKOSHIBA Minamo, 2021. "Medical Expenditures over the Life Cycle: Persistent Risks and Insurance," Discussion papers 21073, Research Institute of Economy, Trade and Industry (RIETI).
    15. Aleksandra Kolasa, 2022. "The long-term impact of quasi-universal transfers to older households," Working Papers 2022-28, Faculty of Economic Sciences, University of Warsaw.

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • C51 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric Modeling - - - Model Construction and Estimation
    • D14 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Household Saving; Personal Finance
    • D15 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Intertemporal Household Choice; Life Cycle Models and Saving
    • I14 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health and Inequality

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