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

Martin Salm

No 2668, IZA Discussion Papers from Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA)

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.

Keywords: health gradient; pensions; mortality; Union Army veterans (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I12 J14 N41 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-hea
Date: 2007-03
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Working Paper: The Effect of Pensions on Longevity: Evidence from Union Army Veterans (2007)
Working Paper: The Effect of Pensions on Longevity: Evidence from Union Army Veterans (2007)
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