Determinants of the Stated Probability of Purchase for Longevity Insurance

We study the determinants of the stated probability of purchase for a deferred annuity that pays out at age 80 or 85, which we reframe as “longevity insurance,” using the Survey of Household Financial and Risk Management. Our results indicate that younger cohorts, women, people who do not smoke and individuals with the highest incomes are more likely to express a desire to purchase longevity insurance in the future. The stated probability of purchase for longevity insurance was lower for respondents with greater net worth and higher coefficients of relative risk aversion. Our results may be of particular interest to policymakers, annuity companies and retirement plan providers