The Effects of A Continuous Increase in Lifetime on Saving

This paper examines the effects on saving of a continuous increase in lifetime and shows that a greater increase in lifetime leads to greater savings. This is because an increase in lifetime is accompanied by uncertainty and because the working-age cohort whose lifetime is longer saves more than the retired cohort dissaves. This result is tested empirically with cross-country data, and it is confirmed that an increase in life expectancy has a positive effect on various saving rates. Copyright 2003 by the International Association for Research in Income and Wealth.