The Well-Being of Retirees: Evidence Using Subjective Data

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The Well-Being of Retirees: Evidence Using Subjective Data

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Keith A. Bender () (University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee)

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Keith A. Bender

Abstract

While previous economic research focuses on the financial well-being of retirees, this paper examines the determinants of overall well-being of retirees. Using data from the 2000 Health and Retirement Study, the strongest predictor of retirement well-being is the reason for entering retirement. If individuals were “forced” to retire, their well-being is significantly lower than those who chose to retire. This indicates the importance of expectations on retirement satisfaction. Additionally, health, current income, and comparison retirement income have important roles in determining overall well-being.

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Publisher Info
Paper provided by Center for Retirement Research in its series Working Papers, Center for Retirement Research at Boston College with number 2004-24.

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Length: 32 pages
Date of creation: Nov 2004
Date of revision:
Handle: RePEc:crr:crrwps:2004-24

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Find related papers by JEL classification:
J26 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Retirement; Retirement Policies
D31 - Microeconomics - - Distribution - - - Personal Income and Wealth Distribution

This paper has been announced in the following NEP Reports:

NEP-ALL-2005-08-20 (All new papers)
NEP-CBE-2005-08-20 (Cognitive & Behavioural Economics)
NEP-LAB-2005-08-20 (Labour Economics)

References listed on IDEAS
Please report citation or reference errors to , or , if you are the registered author of the cited work, log in to your RePEc Author Service profile, click on "citations" and make appropriate adjustments.:

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Other versions:
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Other versions:
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Other versions:
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Full references

Cited by:
(explanations, Please report citation or reference errors to , or , if you are the registered author of the cited work, log in to your RePEc Author Service profile, click on "citations" and make appropriate adjustments.)

Esteban Calvo & Kelly Haverstick & Steven A. Sass, 2007. "What Makes Retirees Happier: A Gradual or 'Cold Turkey' Retirement?," Working Papers, Center for Retirement Research at Boston College wp2007-18, Center for Retirement Research, revised Oct 2007. [Downloadable!]
Other versions:
- Calvo, Esteban & Haverstick, Kelly & Sass, Steven, 2007. "What Makes Retirees Happier: A Gradual or 'Cold Turkey' Retirement?," MPRA Paper 5607, University Library of Munich, Germany. [Downloadable!]
Keith A. Bender & Natalia A. Jivan, 2005. "What Makes Retirees Happy?," Issues in Brief ib28, Center for Retirement Research. [Downloadable!]
Jonathan Skinner, 2007. "Are You Sure You're Saving Enough for Retirement?," NBER Working Papers 12981, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
Other versions:
- Jonathan Skinner, 2007. "Are You Sure You’re Saving Enough for Retirement?," Journal of Economic Perspectives, American Economic Association, vol. 21(3), pages 59-80, Summer.

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