Heath and Retirement Study (HRS)

Intro and Overview

The Health and Retirement Study (HRS) is one of the most frequently used survey data sources for retirement research. The longitudinal data set contains information about approximately 20,000 people. The video below provides a brief introduction. More videos are available here. Links to an external site.

 

Tips for Getting Started

The HRS is a highly complex survey. New users may find it easiest to begin with the RAND HRS Links to an external site. files.

Key Advantages

• Longitudinal
• Highly detailed questionnaires including financial and health information
• Family characteristics are available
• Both public and restricted use data products are available so early work may lead to future projects with restricted use data.

Key Disadvantages

• Only covers older adults
• Surveys are conducted every 2 years
• Small sample size precludes release of geographical identifiers (even state of residence)

Papers Using these Data

A full bibliography is available here. Links to an external site.