what is the wealth distribution curve for Americans at age 65 (wealth=
total assets, not income).

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Request for Question Clarification by mvguy-ga on 08 May 2002 17:44 PDT

Are you interested in figures for people age 65 AND over, or
specifically for people as they turn 65?

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Clarification of Question by kkruse-ga on 09 May 2002 14:03 PDT

Looking specifically at age 65 or "age of retirement".  If the
distribution curve is found, it will answer additional questions like
- what is the average savings at age 65
- how much does the bottom decile save
- how much does the TOP decile have saved
- etc.

Hi kkruse,

From the: Federal Interagency Forum on Aging Statistics I found this
percentage distribution of sources of income for people 65 and older. 
I believe that "Asset Income" will represent what you are referring to
as "savings."  From the same source, I found the median total wealth
of households whose head is 65 or 75.

I hope this is what you were looking for.

Best wishes, 
Alanna




               
ABLE 8B: SOURCES OF INCOME AMONG PERSONS AGE 65 OR OLDER, BY INCOME
LEVEL, 1998
(PERCENTAGES)

______________Soc Sec__Asset inc__Pension__Earnings__Pub
Assistance__Other
LOWEST FIFTH   82.1     2.4         3.3      0.7        9.8          
1.8
SECOND FIFTH   80.5     6.1         6.6      3.2        1.8          
1.8
THIRD FIFTH    63.5    10.5        14.9      7.3        0.7          
2.8
FOURTH FIFTH   45.2    13.7        24.4     13.1        0.2          
3.3
HIGHEST FIFTH  18.3    27.9        20.5     31,1        0.0          
2.1                             Reference population: These data refer
to the civilian noninstitutional population.
_______________________________________________________________________________
The source of this table can be found at: 
Federal Interagency Forum on Aging-Related Statistics
Older Americans 2000: Key Indicators of Well-Being 
Updated Detailed Tables
http://www.agingstats.gov/chartbook2000/tables-economics.html#Indicator
8

A graphic representation may be found at:
Older Americans 2000: Key Indicators of Well-Being 
Federal Interagency Forum on Aging-Related Statistics

 http://www.agingstats.gov/chartbook2000/economics.html#Indicator 8
(click on Indicator 8)
_______________________________________________________________________________
ABLE 9: MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD NET WORTH, BY SELECTED CHARACTERISTICS, IN
THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS,  1999


65 OR OLDER $ 157.6
 
75 OR OLDER $ 132.9
_______________________________________________________________________________
This table  may be found at:

Federal Interagency Forum on Aging-Related Statistics
Older Americans 2000: Key Indicators of Well-Being 
Appendix A: Detailed Tables
http://www.agingstats.gov/chartbook2000/tables-economics.html#Indicator
9
(Click on  Indicator 9)

Google Search Terms: "income distribution" "age 65"
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&q=%22income+distribution%22+%22age+65%22&btnG=Google+Search

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Clarification of Answer by alanna-ga on 15 May 2002 10:00 PDT

Sorry--When the tables were posted, they became skewed.  If you go to
the website, you'll find the "sane" versions. Alanna

Figures close to what you're after, and much background information,
can be found at http://www.epinet.org/books/retirement.pdf

The nearest to age-65 net worth can be found in the net worth over
small age ranges tables found in the appendixes at the end of the
report, such as table 4.  Note that most of the figures are for 1998
although the report was recently released - see
http://www.epinet.org/press/releases/wolff050202b.html

Rob