Older Adults and Financial Bequests

Abstract

Using data from Aging and Health Dynamics (AHEAD), this research investigated a model predicting an older adult's assessment regarding the chances (from 0 to 100) of leaving a financial bequest. Structural equation modeling analyses revealed three significant predictors of a high assessment (i.e., older age, high sense of control, and high socioeconomic status) and three predictors of a low assessment (i.e., race, physical health problems, and assessment of the chances of medical expenses depleting savings). Whites had higher financial bequests assessments than non-Whites. Physical health problems and the depleting savings assessment exerted negative effects on the financial bequest assessment. Marital status and negative psychological functioning exerted indirect effects through sense of control and through the depleting savings assessment.