1. Third Annual Financial Capability and Asset Building (FCAB) Convening Event: Afternoon Panel Wednesday, January 10, 2018, 1:30 pm – 5:30 pm    
FCAB Over Time: Longitudinal Data Sets Dataset: Health and Retirement Study (HRS)
Presenter: Karen Zurlo, PhD; MSW
Associate Professor, Rutgers University

2. The HRS Created in 1990 and launched in 1992
First longitudinal study of older Americans that includes economic and health info in the same survey
Largest nationally representative multi-disciplinary panel study of Americans aged 50 and older
Funded by the NIA and Social Security Administration
Consists of six cohorts with a steady state design that adds new cohorts every six years.
For all cohorts two members of a couple or single individuals are included in the sample

3. Interviews and Study Design
Face to face interview at baseline, telephone is the primary mode for follow-up
Face to face for Social Security consent
2006 and beyond – (mixed mode design)
Half of the core sample is randomly assigned the face/face interview enhanced with biomarker measures and a mail back psychosocial questionnaire; the other half is assigned to the telephone interview as before.
Data is collected at the household and individual level.
In coupled households HRS designates a financial respondent and a family respondent

4. Study Content
Core interview constitutes bulk of data collected. Sample size ranges from 18,000-23,000 individuals.
Every wave includes experimental modules
Enhanced face to face interviews also include biomarker data
Core interview takes place every two years and includes a range of factors related to well-being:
Health, Health services, Labor Force Participation, Economic Status, Family structure, Expectations of events, modules (administered to random sub-samples or respondents)
Enhanced face to face includes: physical measures, saliva sample, blood-based biomarkers, psychosocial functioning
A number of supplemental studies are also administered.

5. Variables and Survey Questions
Variables and survey questions relevant to FCAB are numerous.
Core survey includes measures of: income, wealth, employment, among others
Psychosocial and Lifestyle survey include:
Experiences of financial strain, subjective social status (Cantril Ladder)
Experimental Modules:
HRS 2014 Core, Module 10 – Financial Management Capacity and Practices
HRS 2010 Core, Module 8 – Financial Literacy
HRS 2008 Core: Module 8 – Financial Sophistication and Investment Decision-Making

6. Web Links and Cross-National Sister Surveys
Overview of the HRS:
Downloading public data from the HRS:
Downloading user guides from the HRS:
Cross National Research - The HRS is a model for a network of harmonized, longitudinal aging studies globally. A few of the current HRS sister studies include:
ELSA English Longitudinal Study of Ageing
SHARE Survey of Health, Aging and Retirement in Europe
CHARLS Chinese Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study