Short-term mortality and healthcare utilization consequences of pension income receipt: Evidence from South Korea

Publication Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

10-2025

Abstract

We examine short-term consequences of pension income receipt on mortality and healthcare utilization within the monthly payment cycle. Using the national death registry data of South Korea, we document that the mortality rate decreases by 1.2–1.4 percent in the week of the disbursement date. The mortality-reducing effects are larger for causes of death that could have been avoided through timely and effective healthcare interventions. Using healthcare claims data, we document that the number of hospital admissions increases during the disbursement week. We provide suggestive evidence of greater mortality-reducing effects from a smaller but more frequent disbursement than from a monthly disbursement.

Keywords

Public pension, mortality, older adults, healthcare utilization, South Korea

Discipline

Asian Studies | Health Economics

Research Areas

Applied Microeconomics

Publication

Journal of Public Economics

Volume

250

First Page

1

Last Page

27

ISSN

0047-2727

Identifier

10.1016/j.jpubeco.2025.105490

Publisher

Elsevier

Additional URL

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpubeco.2025.105490

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