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Debt and financial vulnerability on the verge of retirement

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  • Lusardi, Annamaria
  • Mitchell, Olivia S.
  • Oggero, Noemi

Abstract

We analyze older individuals' debt and financial vulnerability using data from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) and the National Financial Capability Study (NFCS). Specifically, in the HRS we examine three different cohorts (individuals age 56-61) in 1992, 2004, and 2010 to evaluate cross-cohort changes in debt over time. We also use two waves of the NFCS (2012 and 2015) to gain additional insights into debt management and older individuals' capacity to shield themselves against shocks. We show that recent cohorts have taken on more debt and face more financial insecurity, mostly due to having purchased more expensive homes with smaller down payments.

Suggested Citation

  • Lusardi, Annamaria & Mitchell, Olivia S. & Oggero, Noemi, 2017. "Debt and financial vulnerability on the verge of retirement," CFS Working Paper Series 574, Center for Financial Studies (CFS).
    • Handle: RePEc:zbw:cfswop:574
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • D14 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Household Saving; Personal Finance
    • D15 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Intertemporal Household Choice; Life Cycle Models and Saving

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