Pensions, Social Security & Retirement
Income, Assets & Program Participation
Pensions, Social Security & Retirement
Young Men
Because they were still fairly young when interviews with this cohort were discontinued, no information on eligibility for or income from pensions and Social Security was collected for these respondents. Limited information on disability income was gathered and is discussed below.
Social Security Disability/Other Disability Payments. During most survey years, disability income was included within the "income from other sources" questions--question wording did not differentiate disability income from rental, interest, or dividend income. In 1966-71 and 1976, this question about other income referred to both the respondent and his wife and asked about "income as a result of disability or illness." The 1973 survey, which referred only to the respondent's income, asked the respondent to report the total amount of other income and up to three sources; coding categories included "disability pension including Workman's Compensation" and "Social Security insurance, gifts from family members, royalties, and inheritances." The 1975, 1978, and 1980 surveys did not include any specific references to disability income but did contain an "other income" question. Finally, the most detailed information was collected in 1981. This survey asked for the amount of income received from Veteran's compensation or pension, Worker's compensation, Social Security disability, and any other disability payments. Amounts were recorded separately for each type of payment and for the respondent and his wife.
User Notes
Like other multiple response ("check all that apply") questions, the 1973 other income sources question was coded using a geometric progression format. Program statements to unpack such variables are presented in Appendix C.
Survey Instruments: The "Assets and Income" section of the relevant questionnaires.
Related Variables: The "Geographic Mobility" section of the 1981 Young Men questionnaire collected information on the effect of the respondent's move to his current residence on (1) the seniority rights of the respondent or spouse and (2) the retirement plans of the respondent or spouse. Coding categories delineated whether the respondent/spouse had lost some, none, or all seniority or pension/retirement rights or whether he or she had no seniority or retirement rights before the move. The fringe benefit series included "retirement pension program" as one of the benefits made available by a current or past employer to respondents of the Young Men cohorts. Availability should not be confused with actual coverage under a pension plan or receipt of pension benefits.