How retirement changes consumption and household production of food: Lessons from German time-use data

Melanie Velarde and Roland Herrmann

The Journal of the Economics of Ageing, 2014, vol. 3, issue C, 1-10

Abstract: In order to test whether a retirement-consumption puzzle does exist, we examine how food-related time use alters within the 50+ generation in Germany due to retirement. Based on the German Time-Use Survey, time-use patterns of retired and non-retired persons are compared statistically and determinants of time-use are elaborated by the use of double-hurdle and multiple regression models. With retirement, major changes take place in the food-related time use. Work-related food-away-from-home consumption is substituted by food production and consumption at home and associated shopping activities. Leisure-related away-from-home consumption gains importance for a portion of pensioners. These impacts are strong and highly significant for German households. By and large, there is no indication of a retirement-consumption puzzle but of a planned behavioral change in a new phase of life. Econometric analysis shows that other personal and sociodemographic variables explain food-related time use patterns in the 50+ generation, in particular gender, age, perceived health and the educational level attained.

Keywords: Retirement-consumption puzzle; Food-at-home consumption; Food-away-from-home consumption; Household production; Time-use data; Generation 50+ (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2014
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (7)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:joecag:v:3:y:2014:i:c:p:1-10

DOI: 10.1016/j.jeoa.2013.12.003

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