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Expenditure behaviour of pensioners: exploring differences between breadwinners and non-breadwinners

Author

Listed:
  • Álvaro Muñiz-Fernández
  • Guillermo Cabanillas-Jiménez

Abstract

This article examines the expenditure behaviours of households headed by pensioners who are financially responsible for other household members. By analysing household-level consumption data from the Spanish Family Income Survey from 2018 to 2021, our findings reveal that pensioner-led households with dependents exhibit a 10.2 per cent reduction in total spending compared to pensioner-led households without dependents. Moreover, expenditure on durable and non-durable goods is lower by 10.4 and 8.8 per cent, respectively. We find no heterogeneous effects across income levels or with cohort-fixed effects.

Suggested Citation

  • Álvaro Muñiz-Fernández & Guillermo Cabanillas-Jiménez, 2025. "Expenditure behaviour of pensioners: exploring differences between breadwinners and non-breadwinners," Oxford Economic Papers, Oxford University Press, vol. 77(3), pages 619-636.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:oxecpp:v:77:y:2025:i:3:p:619-636.
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • D12 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Consumer Economics: Empirical Analysis
    • D14 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Household Saving; Personal Finance
    • D31 - Microeconomics - - Distribution - - - Personal Income and Wealth Distribution

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