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Financial Literacy and Financial Sophistication in the Older Population: Evidence from the 2008 HRS

Author

Listed:
  • Annamaria Lusardi

    (Dartmouth College)

  • Olivia S. Mitchell

    (The Wharton School)

  • Vilsa Curto

    (Harvard University)

Abstract

This paper analyzes new data on financial literacy and financial sophistication from the 2008 Health and Retirement Study. We show that financial literacy is lacking among older individuals and for the first time explore additional questions on financial sophistication which proves even scarcer. For this sample of older respondents over the age of 55, we find that people lack even a rudimentary understanding of stock and bond prices, risk diversification, portfolio choice, and investment fees. In view of the fact that individuals are increasingly required to take on responsibility for their own retirement security, this lack of knowledge has serious implications.

Suggested Citation

  • Annamaria Lusardi & Olivia S. Mitchell & Vilsa Curto, 2009. "Financial Literacy and Financial Sophistication in the Older Population: Evidence from the 2008 HRS," Working Papers wp216, University of Michigan, Michigan Retirement Research Center.
    • Handle: RePEc:mrr:papers:wp216
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    Cited by:

    1. García, J. & Gómez, Y. & Vila, J., 2022. "Financial overconfidence, promotion of financial advice, and aging," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 145(C), pages 325-333.
    2. Platteau, Jean-Philippe & Ugarte Ontiveros, Darwin, 2021. "Cognitive bias in insurance: Evidence from a health scheme in India," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 144(C).
    3. Agarwal, Sumit & Amromin, Gene & Ben-David, Itzhak & Chomsisengphet, Souphala & Evanoff, Douglas D., 2015. "Financial literacy and financial planning: Evidence from India," Journal of Housing Economics, Elsevier, vol. 27(C), pages 4-21.
    4. Platteau, Jean-Philippe & Ugarte Ontiveros, Darwin, 2017. "Cognitive Bias in Insurance: Evidence from India," CEPR Discussion Papers 12242, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.

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