AEA Papers and Proceedings
ISSN 2574-0768 (Print) | ISSN 2574-0776 (Online)
Breadwinning, Social Security, and Retirement Patterns among Couples
AEA Papers and Proceedings
(pp. 695–99)
Abstract
This paper examines how married couples' retirement behavior varies by wives' earnings contributions. Using data from the Health and Retirement Study linked to administrative Social Security records, we find that breadwinner wives are more likely to delay claiming benefits, rely less on spousal benefits, and are less likely to claim benefits jointly with their husbands. In contrast, their husbands tend to rely more on spousal and disability benefits and retire earlier. These findings highlight shifting gender roles in retirement strategies and intrahousehold dynamics as women increasingly attain higher education levels and marry down, reversing traditional breadwinning roles.Citation
Lee, Siha, and Zhixiu Yu. 2025. "Breadwinning, Social Security, and Retirement Patterns among Couples." AEA Papers and Proceedings 115: 695–99. DOI: 10.1257/pandp.20251132Additional Materials
JEL Classification
- H55 Social Security and Public Pensions
- J12 Marriage; Marital Dissolution; Family Structure; Domestic Abuse
- J16 Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination
- J26 Retirement; Retirement Policies