Childlessness and the Economic Well-being of Older Americans

Abstract

The study's purpose is to examine the relationship between childlessness and two key indicators of older Americans' economic well-being: income and wealth. Using the Health and Retirement Survey, the study estimates this relationship and compares findings from standard ordinary least squares, random effects, quantile regression, and two propensity score models. Compared with married parents, childless married couples tend to have slightly more income and about 5% more wealth. Unmarried childless men enjoy no income advantage over unmarried fathers but have 24%-33% more wealth. Compared with older unmarried mothers, unmarried childless women have 12%-31% more income and about 33% more wealth. The strength of these relationships increases as one moves up the distribution of income or wealth. This study provides evidence on the relationship between childlessness and both income and wealth, including the first evidence for men. The findings may be useful for persons concerned about the determinants of childless adults' well-being as well as the long-run financial demands on public programs that provide income support, health and nursing home care, and social services for older Americans.