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Why Do Couples and Singles Save During Retirement?

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  • De Nardi, Mariacristina
  • French, Eric Baird
  • Jones, John Bailey
  • McGee, Rory

Abstract

While the savings of retired singles tend to fall with age, those of retired couples tend to rise. We estimate a rich model of retired singles and couples with bequest motives and uncertain longevity and medical expenses. Our estimates imply that while medical expenses are an important driver of the savings of middle-income singles, bequest motives matter for couples and high-income singles, and generate transfers to non-spousal heirs whenever a household member dies. The interaction of medical expenses and bequest motives is a crucial determinant of savings for all retirees. Hence, to understand savings, it is important to model household structure, medical expenses, and bequest motives.

Suggested Citation

  • De Nardi, Mariacristina & French, Eric Baird & Jones, John Bailey & McGee, Rory, 2021. "Why Do Couples and Singles Save During Retirement?," CEPR Discussion Papers 16155, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    • Handle: RePEc:cpr:ceprdp:16155
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Savings; Singles; Couples; Bequest motives; Medical expenses;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C51 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric Modeling - - - Model Construction and Estimation
    • D14 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Household Saving; Personal Finance
    • D15 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Intertemporal Household Choice; Life Cycle Models and Saving
    • I14 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health and Inequality

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