Cognitive Ability, Financial Literacy, and the Demand for Financial Advice at Older Ages: Findings from the Health and Retirement Study

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Wharton Pension Research Council Working Papers
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financial advice
cognitive ability
older population
money management
Health and Retirement Study
Economics
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This paper evaluates how cognitive ability and financial literacy shape the demand for financial advice at older ages. We analyze a new module of the Health and Retirement Study which queried older respondents about their usage of financial advice and other financial management activities. Results show that cognitive ability and financial literacy are often positively correlated with advice-seeking for financial matters. Generally speaking, the more cognitively able tend to seek financial advice from professionals outside of family members; nevertheless, they are also more likely to be overconfident regarding their investments. The more financially literate also tend to ask for help with money management, but they are less likely to be overconfident. Overall, our findings are suggestive that cognitive ability as well as financial literacy can help shape older persons’ money management behaviors.

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2018-01-01
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This project was sponsored by the TIAA Institute and the Pension Research Council/Boettner Center at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
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