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Longevity Perceptions and Saving Decisions during the COVID-19 Outbreak: An Experimental Investigation

Author

Listed:
  • Abigail Hurwitz
  • Olivia S. Mitchell
  • Orly Sade

Abstract

We experimentally study individuals’ perceptions about and advice to others regarding retirement savings and annuitization during the pandemic. Many people recommend that others save more for retirement, but those most affected by the pandemic tell others to save and annuitize less. We investigate two possible channels for this result and show that the pandemic does not substantially alter optimism regarding survival probabilities. Hence, we conclude that economic factors are driving our results. Consequently, some financial ramifications of the COVID-19 outbreak are yet to be revealed, as the pandemic is having longer-term effects on peoples’ willingness to save and annuitize.

Suggested Citation

  • Abigail Hurwitz & Olivia S. Mitchell & Orly Sade, 2021. "Longevity Perceptions and Saving Decisions during the COVID-19 Outbreak: An Experimental Investigation," NBER Working Papers 28361, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    • Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:28361
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Scott R Baker & Robert A Farrokhnia & Steffen Meyer & Michaela Pagel & Constantine Yannelis & Jeffrey Pontiff, 0. "How Does Household Spending Respond to an Epidemic? Consumption during the 2020 COVID-19 Pandemic," The Review of Asset Pricing Studies, Society for Financial Studies, vol. 10(4), pages 834-862.
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    5. Tobin Hanspal & Annika Weber & Johannes Wohlfart, 2021. "Exposure to the COVID-19 Stock Market Crash and Its Effect on Household Expectations," The Review of Economics and Statistics, MIT Press, vol. 103(5), pages 994-1010, December.
    6. Olivia S. Mitchell, 2020. "Building Better Retirement Systems in the Wake of the Global Pandemic," NBER Working Papers 27261, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Niculaescu, Corina E. & Sangiorgi, Ivan & Bell, Adrian R., 2023. "Does personal experience with COVID-19 impact investment decisions? Evidence from a survey of US retail investors," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 88(C).
    2. Guo, Naijia & Leung, Charles Ka Yui & Zhang, Shumeng, 2025. "From pandemics to portfolios: Long-term impacts of the 2009 H1N1 outbreak on household investment choices," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 231(C).
    3. Efrat Dressler & Yevgeny Mugerman, 2023. "Doing the Right Thing? The Voting Power Effect and Institutional Shareholder Voting," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 183(4), pages 1089-1112, April.
    4. Achou, Bertrand & De Donder, Philippe & Glenzer, Franca & Lee, Minjoon & Leroux, Marie-Louise, 2022. "Nursing home aversion post-pandemic: Implications for savings and long-term care policy," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 201(C), pages 1-21.
    5. Lahav, Eyal & Shavit, Tal, 2025. "The perceived impact of current work–life balance on one’s financial future," Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Finance, Elsevier, vol. 46(C).
    6. Hurwitz, Abigail & Mitchell, Olivia S. & Sade, Orly, 2022. "Testing methods to enhance longevity awareness," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 204(C), pages 466-475.
    7. Claryn S. J. Kung & Jingmin Zhu & Paola Zaninotto & Andrew Steptoe, 2023. "Changes in retirement plans in the English older population during the COVID-19 pandemic: The roles of health factors and financial insecurity," European Journal of Ageing, Springer, vol. 20(1), pages 1-12, December.

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • G41 - Financial Economics - - Behavioral Finance - - - Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on Decision Making in Financial Markets
    • G5 - Financial Economics - - Household Finance
    • J26 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Retirement; Retirement Policies

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