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Explaining Why So Many Households Do Not Save

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  • Annamaria Lusardi

Abstract

There are vast differences in wealth holdings, even among households in similar age groups. In addition, a large percentage of U.S. households arrive close to retirement with little or no wealth. While many explanations can be found to rationalize these facts, approximately thirty percent of households whose head is close to retirement have done little or no planning for retirement. Planning is shaped by the experience of other individuals: individuals learn to plan for retirement from older siblings. They also learn from the experience of old parents. In particular, unpleasant events, such as financial difficulties and health shocks at the end of life, provide incentives toward planning. In addition, planning affects wealth levels as well as portfolio choice. Individuals who plan are more likely to hold large amounts of wealth and to invest their wealth in high return assets, such as stocks. Thus, planning plays an important role in explaining the saving behavior of many households.

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  • Annamaria Lusardi, 2000. "Explaining Why So Many Households Do Not Save," Working Papers 0001, Harris School of Public Policy Studies, University of Chicago.
    • Handle: RePEc:har:wpaper:0001
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    6. Tomar, Sweta & Kent Baker, H. & Kumar, Satish & Hoffmann, Arvid O.I., 2021. "Psychological determinants of retirement financial planning behavior," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 133(C), pages 432-449.
    7. Normann, Marcel & Langer, Thomas, 2001. "Altersvorsorge, Konsumwunsch und mangelnde Selbstdisziplin : zur Relevanz deskriptiver Theorien für die Gestaltung von Altersvorsorgeprodukten," Papers 01-40, Sonderforschungsbreich 504.
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    17. Shane Enete & Martin Seay & Sarah Asebedo & David Wang & Megan McCoy, 2022. "Understanding the influence of emotion on both time and money: applying the broaden and build theory," SN Business & Economics, Springer, vol. 2(5), pages 1-24, May.
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