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Journal of Political Economy Vol. 118 No. 1 2010

Why Do the Elderly Save? The Role of Medical Expenses

Mariacristina De Nardi; Eric French1; John B. Jones2,3

1 Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago · 2 Albany State University · 3 University at Albany, State University of New York

Abstract

This paper constructs a model of saving for retired single people that includes heterogeneity in medical expenses and life expectancies, and bequest motives. We estimate the model using Assets and Health Dynamics of the Oldest Old data and the method of simulated moments. Out-of-pocket medical expenses rise quickly with age and permanent income. The risk of living long and requiring expensive medical care is a key driver of saving for many higher-income elderly. Social insurance programs such as Medicaid rationalize the low asset holdings of the poorest but also benefit the rich by insuring them against high medical expenses at the ends of their lives.

DOI
10.1086/651674
Volume
118
Issue
1
Pages
39-75
Language
en
Sources
bibtex:phds-export.bib openalex crossref

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