Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/36940 
Year of Publication: 
2010
Series/Report no.: 
IZA Discussion Papers No. 4961
Publisher: 
Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA), Bonn
Abstract: 
We analyze how sexual orientation is related to household savings using 2000 US Census data, and find that gay and lesbian couples own significantly more retirement income than heterosexuals, while cohabiting heterosexuals save more than their married counterparts. In a household savings model, we interpret this homosexual-specific differential as due to the extremely low fertility of same-sex couples, in addition to the precautionary motives driving cohabiting households to save more than married ones. Evidence from homeowners' ratio of mortgage payments to house value exhibits the same pattern of savings differentials by sexual orientation and cohabiting status.
Subjects: 
Sexual orientation
household savings
retirement
housing
JEL: 
D1
D12
J15
J16
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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