Issue Briefs

Geographic Variation in Spending Among Older American Households

Most discussion about retirement preparation revolves around national averages, but a lot could actually depend on where you live in retirement. A new study by EBRI finds large variations in spending by older households across the country. Press release.

EBRI Notes Feb 21, 2017 12 pages

The Impact of an HSA-Eligible Health Plan on Health Care Services Use and Spending by Worker Income

Low-income workers who switch to high-deductible health savings accounts (HSAs) plans are more likely than their higher-paid colleagues to avoid certain types of health care, according to new research by EBRI. EBRI Issue Brief Aug 30, 2016 24 pages

Change in Household Spending After Retirement: Results from a Longitudinal Sample

On average, households spend less once they retire—but not all households, and not in the same ways. New research from EBRI finds that while average spending in retirement falls in the first two years in retirement, nearly half of retired households actually spent more than they did just before retirement. That declines over time. EBRI Issue Brief Nov 19, 2015 20 pages

Intra-Family Cash Transfers in Older American Households

When family members help each other out--especially with the Baby Boom generation rapidly entering retirement--which way does the money flow: From old to young, or the other way around? New research from EBRI finds that, overwhelmingly, the generational transfer of money flows downhill: Mostly it’s older family members helping out their younger adult relatives than the other way around. EBRI Issue Brief Jun 18, 2015 32 pages

“A Look at the End-of-Life Financial Situation in America,” and “Measured Matters: The Use of 'Big Data' in Employee Benefits”

End-of-Life Finances: New research by EBRI shows that a large percentage of individuals who died recently had little or no assets. Those who died relatively younger were even more likely to be in this situation. Press release.

Big Data: Since “big data” is changing so many aspects of the business world, how is it affecting the way health and retirement benefits are provided to private-sector workers? At a recent policy forum sponsored by EBRI, several national experts described how employers and researchers are making a major commitment to capturing and analyzing the vast amount of health and retirement data in their benefits plans. Press release.

EBRI Notes Apr 23, 2015 24 pages

Utilization Patterns and Out-of-Pocket Expenses for Different Health Care Services Among American Retirees

How do retirees spend their out-of-pocket money on health care in retirement? New research from EBRI separates recurring and non-recurring health-care services and finds that usage and expenses of recurring health-care services remain stable throughout retirement, while usage of non-recurring ones increase with age and tend to be more expensive. EBRI Issue Brief Feb 23, 2015 24 pages

“Maximizing Contributions to an HSA: Findings from the EBRI HSA Database,” and “Debt of the Elderly and Near Elderly, 1992–2013”

HSAs: Who contributes the maximum amount to their health savings accounts (HSAs)? New research by EBRI finds that about 15 percent of HSA owners contributed the maximum amount possible in 2013. Press release.

Debt: A larger share of older American families had debt in 2013, and those with debt loads that are considered problematic also increased, according to a new report from EBRI. Press release.

EBRI Notes Jan 29, 2015 24 pages

“How Does Household Expenditure Change With Age for Older Americans?” and “2014 Health and Voluntary Workplace Benefits Survey: Most Workers Continue to be Satisfied With Their Own Health Plan, but Growing Number Give Low Ratings to Health Care Syste ..

Older Americans: Although health expenses increase steadily with age, and remain a cause of concern, home and home-related expenses are the largest spending category for older Americans, according to a new report by EBRI. Press release.

Workplace Benefits Survey: Although American workers rank their own health care highly, their opinion of the overall U.S. health care system is low and continues to fall, according to a new report by EBRI. Press release.

EBRI Notes Sep 18, 2014 20 pages

"Crisis" Management: Uncertainty and the Workplace

With major changes sweeping both health and retirement plans in the private sector, are employment-based benefits facing a “crisis” or merely an uncertain future? A recent industry-wide forum sponsored by EBRI brought together a variety of experts to focus on the issue and the challenges ahead. EBRI Issue Brief Aug 12, 2014 20 pages

'Characteristics of the Population With Consumer-Driven and High-Deductible Health Plans, 2005–2013,' and 'Labor-force Participation Rates of the Population Ages 55 and Older, 2013'

Consumer-Driven Health Plans: Compared with those in traditional health plans, those in so-called "consumer-driven" health plans tend to have higher income, more education, and be in better health, according to a new report by EBRI. Press release.

Labor-force Participation: Older workers—those 55 and older—are a growing presence in the American work force, a trend driven mainly by women, according to a new report by EBRI. Press release.

EBRI Notes Apr 17, 2014 20 pages