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

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Salm, Martin
• 署名单位: Tilburg University
• 刊物名称: ECONOMIC JOURNAL
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0013-0133
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1468-0297.2011.02427.x
• 发表日期: 2011
• 页码: 595-619
• 关键词: health; mortality; LIFE; duration

摘要

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. I examine the effects of the pension laws of 1907 and 1912, which granted old-age pensions to Union Army veterans. Veteran pensions reduced age-adjusted mortality by 11.5% for law of 1907 pensions and by 29.6% for law of 1912 pensions. Pensions reduced mortality for both acute and non-acute causes of death but reductions in mortality were strongest for mortality from infectious diseases.