Why Do Couples and Singles Save during Retirement? Household Heterogeneity and Its Aggregate Implications

S-Tier
Journal: Journal of Political Economy
Year: 2025
Volume: 133
Issue: 3
Pages: 750 - 792

Score contribution per author:

2.011 = (α=2.01 / 4 authors) × 4.0x S-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

We estimate a model of savings for retired couples and singles who face longevity and medical expense risks and in which couples can leave bequests both when the first spouse dies and when the last spouse dies. We show that saving motives vary by marital status, permanent income, and age. We find that most households save more for medical expenses than for bequests but that richer households and couples, who hold most of the wealth, save more for bequests. As a result, bequest motives are a key determinant of aggregate retirement wealth.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:ucp:jpolec:doi:10.1086/733421
Journal Field
General
Author Count
4
Added to Database
2026-01-25