Longevity Risk, Subjective Survival Expectations, and Individual Saving Behavior

Theoretical studies suggest that unexpected changes in future survival probabilities, that is, longevity risk, are important determinants of individuals' decision making about consumption, saving, allocation of assets, and retirement timing. Based on a data set that matches subjective survival expectations and savings indicators from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) with life table data from the Human Mortality Database this study provides first empirical evidence that individuals are aware of longevity risk.