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Does Social Security promote food security? Evidence for older households

Author

Listed:
  • Debra L. Brucker
  • Katie Jajtner
  • Sophie Mitra

Abstract

This study examines the effect of Social Security benefits received in old age on food security among older adults. Using repeated cross sections from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics and an instrumental variable approach to address the endogeneity between the decision to claim Social Security and household food security, we find that an increase in Social Security benefits or becoming a Social Security beneficiary significantly increases the probability of being food secure. Our results were robust to changes of the dependent variable or the endogenous variable but were sensitive to some of the expansions or contractions of the sample.

Suggested Citation

  • Debra L. Brucker & Katie Jajtner & Sophie Mitra, 2022. "Does Social Security promote food security? Evidence for older households," Applied Economic Perspectives and Policy, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 44(2), pages 671-686, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:apecpp:v:44:y:2022:i:2:p:671-686
    DOI: 10.1002/aepp.13218
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Harchand Ram & Srinivas Goli & M. Sripriya Reddy & Anu Rammohan, 2024. "Food Insecurity Among Older Adults in India: A Study of Disparities Across the Inter-sectional Axes of Caste, Poverty, and Gender," Journal of Economics, Race, and Policy, Springer, vol. 7(4), pages 331-351, December.
    3. James P. Ziliak & Craig Gundersen & Anna Vaudin, 2023. "Introduction to senior hunger special issue," Applied Economic Perspectives and Policy, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 45(1), pages 221-233, March.

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