Unequal effects of elders’ health problems on wealth depletion across race and ethnicity

We investigate the impact of health on wealth depletion of African American, Hispanic, and non-Hispanic white elders. Using the data from 4,464 elderly households that participated in both the 1993 Asset and Health Dynamics of the Oldest Old and the 1998 Health and Retirement Study, we find that health problems contribute to wealth depletion differently across elders in different racial and ethnic groups. We draw policy implications from the findings regarding ways to help consumers protect their financial security from health shocks in later life.