Life expectancy for Blacks is about 8 year shorter than for Whites. A shorter life expectancy, in line with the theoretical prediction of a simple model, determines a much lower amount of savings and wealth accumulation and therefore a lower degree of insurance. This, in turn, contributes to...

As the heterogeneity in life expectancy by socioeconomic status increases, pension systemsbecome more regressive implying wealth transfers from short to long lived individuals. Variouspension reforms aim to reduce these inequalities that are caused by ex-ante differences in lifeexpectancy....