Retirement Migration and Interstate Income Transfers

This paper examines one aspect of the economic impact of elderly migration, the transfer of income from state to state, a concern of policymakers, planners, and researchers. Using 1980 census microdata files it was determined that billions of dollars are transferred between states each year, some states (especially Florida) gaining and others losing. The 1980/1981 Consumer Expenditure Interview Survey was used to estimate the consumption patterns of the typical migrant household. These findings are discussed in the context of state economic development.