Health Information and the Timing of Social Security Benefit Entitlements

This study examines whether new health information obtained through medical screen- ing affects entitlements to Social Security benefits. Random assignment of information is derived from a unique feature of the Continuous National Health and Nutrition Ex- amination Survey. The survey data are matched to administrative data from the Social Security Administration. The results suggest that new health information led to de- lays in benefit entitlements, particularly among workers near the early entitlement age