Eight more years until I am rational

by on September 5, 2007 at 6:53 am in Economics | Permalink

Here is a new study of how age affects and channels decision-making abilities:

The sophistication of financial decisions varies with age: middle-aged
adults borrow at lower interest rates and pay fewer fees compared to
both younger and older adults.  We document this pattern in ten
financial markets.  The measured effects cannot be explained by observed
risk characteristics.  The sophistication of financial choices peaks
around age 53 in our cross-sectional data.
[emphasis added]  Our results are consistent
with the hypothesis that financial sophistication rises and then falls
with age, although the patterns that we observe represent a mix of age
effects and cohort effects.

Here is the paper.  Here are non-gated versions.

Ted Craig September 5, 2007 at 8:57 am

Unfortuately, most people make their major financial decisions before and after age 53.

Yan Li September 5, 2007 at 9:31 am

45, it is. Prof. Tabarrok has beat me by a couple of minutes:)

Anderson September 5, 2007 at 5:10 pm

Interesting. Aristotle thought that one wasn’t fit to study philosophy untli 49, which falls within the margin of error, I guess.

Tony December 28, 2007 at 8:05 pm

Hi! i buy a new house, I hope to find a regular, good interior design室內設計. services company, I will let my new home beautiful, warm.i injoy

Comments on this entry are closed.

Previous post:

Next post: