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Risk Literacy

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  • Annamaria Lusardi

Abstract

I examine financial literacy—specifically knowledge of risk—using data from surveys in the United States and other countries. I show that risk literacy is very low; the majority of individuals lack knowledge of concepts such as risk diversification and do not understand the relationship between risk and return. Findings are strikingly similar across countries; a third of survey respondents in most countries report that they do not know the answer to risk literacy questions. I also show that risk literacy matters for financial decisions; those who are more knowledgeable about risk are more likely to have precautionary savings and to plan for retirement. Given that individuals have much greater responsibility for their financial well-being before and after retirement than in the past, addressing lack of financial literacy, including risk literacy, may provide new ways to promote saving and financial security. Copyright Società Italiana degli Economisti (Italian Economic Association) 2015

Suggested Citation

  • Annamaria Lusardi, 2015. "Risk Literacy," Italian Economic Journal: A Continuation of Rivista Italiana degli Economisti and Giornale degli Economisti, Springer;Società Italiana degli Economisti (Italian Economic Association), vol. 1(1), pages 5-23, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:italej:v:1:y:2015:i:1:p:5-23
    DOI: 10.1007/s40797-015-0011-x
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Boisclair, David & Lusardi, Annamaria & Michaud, Pierre-Carl, 2017. "Financial literacy and retirement planning in Canada," Journal of Pension Economics and Finance, Cambridge University Press, vol. 16(3), pages 277-296, July.
    2. Rob J. Alessie & Maarten van Rooij & Annamaria Lusardi, 2011. "Financial Literacy, Retirement Preparation and Pension Expectations in the Netherlands," NBER Working Papers 17109, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
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    6. Annamaria Lusardi & Olivia S. Mitchell, 2008. "Planning and Financial Literacy: How Do Women Fare?," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 98(2), pages 413-417, May.
    7. Bucher-Koenen, Tabea & Lusardi, Annamaria, 2011. "Financial literacy and retirement planning in Germany," Journal of Pension Economics and Finance, Cambridge University Press, vol. 10(4), pages 565-584, October.
    8. Calcagno, Riccardo & Monticone, Chiara, 2015. "Financial literacy and the demand for financial advice," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 50(C), pages 363-380.
    9. Annamaria Lusardi & Daniel Schneider & Peter Tufano, 2011. "Financially Fragile Households: Evidence and Implications," Brookings Papers on Economic Activity, Economic Studies Program, The Brookings Institution, vol. 42(1 (Spring), pages 83-150.
    10. Aileen Heinberg & Angela Hung & Arie Kapteyn & Annamaria Lusardi & Anya Savikhin Samek & Joanne Yoong, 2014. "Five steps to planning success: experimental evidence from US households," Oxford Review of Economic Policy, Oxford University Press and Oxford Review of Economic Policy Limited, vol. 30(4), pages 697-724.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Financial literacy; Risk diversification; Retirement planning; precautionary saving; D91; G11; D80;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D91 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics - - - Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on Decision Making
    • G11 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Portfolio Choice; Investment Decisions
    • D80 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - General

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