Sources of income inequality among the elderly

Abstract

Sources of inequality among American households with a retired elderly head were examined by decomposition of Gini coefficients. Inequality of investment and labor income contributed most to overall income inequality. Income inequality of three types of households - couples with one retiree, retired couples, and retired singles were studied in terms of sources of income inequality. Inequality of investment income contributed most to income inequality for retired singles and for retired couples. © 1999, Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Education.