The Effect of Pensions on Longevity: Evidence from Union Army Veterans

Salm, Martin

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URL:	https://ub-madoc.bib.uni-mannheim.de/1568
URN:	urn:nbn:de:bsz:180-madoc-15681
Document Type:	Working paper
Year of publication:	2007
The title of a journal, publication series:	MEA Discussion Papers
Volume:	118
Place of publication:	Mannheim
Publication language:	English
Institution:	School of Law and Economics > Sonstige - Fakultät für Rechtswissenschaft und Volkswirtschaftslehre
MADOC publication series:	Veröffentlichungen des MEA (Mannheim Research Institute For the Economics of Aging) > MEA Discussion Papers
Subject:	300 Social sciences, sociology, anthropology
Classification:	JEL: I12 J14 N41 ,
Subject headings (SWD):	Rentenversicherung , Rentenversicherungsrecht , Sterblichkeit , Schätzung , Soldat , USA
Keywords (English):	Health gradient , pensions , mortality , Union Army veterans
Abstract:	This study uses changes in pension laws for Union Army veterans as a natural experiment to estimate the causal effect of pensions on longevity, and to examine potential pathways underlying such a relationship. We examine the effects of the pension laws of 1907 and 1912, which granted old-age pensions to Union Army veterans. Life expectancy for veterans, who received such a pension, increased by 0.5 years and 2.7 years, respectively. The effect of veteran pensions on longevity was large across wealth groups and size of city. Pensions reduced mortality for both acute and non-acute causes of death.
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