The Effect of Spousal Retirement on Health Outcomes Open Access

Abstract

Using data from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS), this article investigates the effect of spousal retirement on various health outcomes. It is found that retirement of spouses significantly improves respondents' physical health. In particular, it alleviates the respondents' difficulties with mobility and daily activities. Estimates also indicate spouses' retirement lead to a decrease in respondents' depressive symptom, though the effect is not statistically significant. Individuals tend to have a worse self-accessed health following their spouses' complete retirement, but the effect observed is most likely due to the confounding effect of their own retirement. In addition, evidence suggests income is not the major pathway through which spousal retirement influences their partner' s health.

Table of Contents

I. Introduction 1

II. Related Literature 4

III. Data and methods 9

IV. Results 13

V. Discussion 15

VI. Conclusion 17

References 19

Appendix 24

About this Honors Thesis

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School	Emory College
Department	Economics
Degree	BA
Submission	Honors Thesis
Language	English
Research Field	Health Sciences, Public Health Economics, General Health Sciences, Aging
Keyword	Spouse Retirement Health
Committee Chair / Thesis Advisor	McCarthy, Ian M, Emory University
Committee Members	Francis-Tan, Andrew, Emory University Norfleet, Mark A, Emory University

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