This study examines the effect of age on risk tolerance. The life-cycle investment hypothesis is tested using the 1983-89 panel of the Survey of Consumer Finances. Household wealth is defined as the sum of human capital and net worth. Risk tolerance is measured by the ratio of risky assets to...

A life-cycle savings model was tested to analyze consumption patterns of elderly U.S. households, using the 1990 and 1991 BLS Interview Survey of Consumer Expenditures. The model implies substantial, planned decreases in consumption after retirement, regardless of income patterns. The empirical...