Finance and Economics Discussion Series (FEDS)

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March 2015

Wealth, Pensions, Debt, and Savings: Considerations for a Panel Survey

Brian K. Bucks and Karen M. Pence

Abstract:

Several U.S. panel surveys measure household wealth. At the same time, many important questions about household wealth accumulation remain somewhat unresolved. We consider whether measurement error on the existing suite of longitudinal surveys hinders their usefulness for addressing these questions. We review the features of wealth data that make it difficult to collect and assess which assets and debts households are more likely to report accurately. We suggest several considerations in choosing between improving existing surveys and starting a new one.

Accessible materials (.zip)

Keywords: Measurement error, survey methods, wealth

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.17016/FEDS.2015.019

PDF: Full Paper

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Last Update: June 19, 2020