Family Member Death and Subjective Life Expectancy Among Black and White Older Adults.

OBJECTIVE: To examine whether exposure to family member deaths throughout the life course is associated with subjective life expectancy-a person's assessment of their own mortality risk-at age 65, with attention to differences by race.

METHOD: We analyzed 11 waves of data from a study of men and women above age 50 (Health and Retirement Study; n = 13,973).

RESULTS: Experiencing the deaths of multiple family members before the respondent is 50 years old is negatively associated with subjective life expectancy at age 65.

DISCUSSION: Understanding the life-course predictors of older adults' subjective life expectancy is particularly important because survival expectations influence long-term planning, health, and longevity. Moreover, Black Americans are exposed to more family member deaths earlier in their life compared with White Americans, with implications for long-term health and well-being.