Expenditure Flows Near Widowhood

摘要: Using data from the 1980–2001 Consumer Expenditure Surveys, we investigate how impending widowhood affects households’ expenditure patterns. We find that total annual expenditures are $4,027 higher for about-to-be-widowed households compared to otherwise comparable continuously married couples. Within subcategories, average $4,108 miscellaneous subcategory which includes on funerals/burials. conclude differences in needs-adjusted incomes of and widowed may be partly a function pre-widowhood their patterns lead about-to-be-widowhood draw down financial wealth.