Racial Differences in Debt Delinquencies and Implications for Retirement Preparedness

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The Wharton School::Wharton Pension Research Council::Wharton Pension Research Council Working Papers
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Economics
Subject
racial differences
debt
retirement
financial wellbeing
credit use
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2023
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Author
Zhong, Mingli
Contributor
Andre, Jennifer
Abstract

We document the prevalence and amount of debt delinquency in the US among older adults, overall and by racial/ethnic group characteristics. Using administrative data on credit use for a sample of 4 million older adult borrowers, we show that about one in five consumers age 50+ with a credit bureau record had delinquent debt in August 2022, suggesting difficulties meeting financial obligations in retirement. The prevalence of debt delinquency decreased with age. Consumers living in areas where a majority of residents identify as American Indian/Alaska Native, Black, Hispanic, or Asian American/Pacific Islander were more likely to have delinquent

debt and/or higher median amounts of delinquent debt, relative to consumers in majority-White areas, for various types of delinquent debt.

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WP2023-21
Publication date
2023-09
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