Upstream Intergenerational Transfers

TitleUpstream Intergenerational Transfers
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2002
AuthorsSloan, FA, Zhang, HH, Wang, J
JournalSouthern Economic Journal
Volume69
Issue2
Pagination363-80
Call Numberpubs_2002_Sloan_FSouthEconJourn.pdf
KeywordsAltruism, Error rates, Expected values, Nursing homes, Older Adults, Parents, Siblings, Standard of living, Wage rate
Abstract

This study analyzes upstream intergenerational transfers from middle-aged children to their elderly parents. We formulate a model in which the middle-aged child transfers both money and time to an elderly parent based on an altruistic motive. We examine substitution between financial transfers and time transfers using data from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS). Empirical results support the assumption that upstream transfers are motivated by altruism, particularly financial transfers. Parents financially worse off than their middle-aged children receive more money. They are more likely to live nearby if not coresident. Overall, the results for time transfers provide weaker support for our model than financial transfers. A child with a high wage tends to transfer money rather than time, suggesting that the two types of transfers are partial substitutes. Reprinted by permission of the publisher.

DOI10.2307/1061677
Endnote Keywords

Intergenerational Transfers

Endnote ID

10282

Citation Key6819