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Cognitive functioning, financial literacy, and judgment in older age

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  • Paul Gerrans
  • Anthony Asher
  • Joanne Kaa Earl

Abstract

We investigate the relationships between financial literacy, financial judgment, and cognitive ability at older ages. We find people who actively manage their own retirement savings portfolios display greater levels of financial literacy and judgment than those who do not. We identify the different cognitive processes underlying financial judgment and decision‐making tasks versus those underlying learned concepts such as basic financial literacy. Although these decline at different rates the latter may potentially compensate for, and mask declines, in the former. We find an overall low propensity to seek financial advice which has no significant relationship with cognitive functioning. Our findings underscore the importance of monitoring cognitive ability in older ages.

Suggested Citation

  • Paul Gerrans & Anthony Asher & Joanne Kaa Earl, 2022. "Cognitive functioning, financial literacy, and judgment in older age," Accounting and Finance, Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 62(S1), pages 1637-1674, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:acctfi:v:62:y:2022:i:s1:p:1637-1674
    DOI: 10.1111/acfi.12835
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    1. Callis, Zoe & Gerrans, Paul & Walker, Dana L. & Gignac, Gilles E., 2023. "The association between intelligence and financial literacy: A conceptual and meta-analytic review," Intelligence, Elsevier, vol. 100(C).

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