Assets of the elderly as they retire

This study, using data from the Retirement History Study, indicates that as older Americans enter their retirement years, their property wealth is generally very limited and can seldom be expected to be much help in maintaining their preretirement standard of living. Although most older Americans own some form of assets, the value of these assets is generally quite small. Equity in the home is usually the most important form of asset for the elderly; liquid or income-producing assets are generally very limited in amount. Only a small proportion of respondents have substantial asset wealth. Married men are much more likely to own homes than nonmarried men and women, and are also more likely to own liquid assets of any magnitude.