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KMID : 0379220140340030649
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Journal of Korea Gerontological Society
2014 Volume.34 No. 3 p.649 ~ p.664
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Gender Differences in the Economic Consequences of Widowhood in Korea
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Kim Jeung-Kun
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Abstract
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The purpose of this study is to examine how the death of a spouse affects economic well-being of widowhood across gender among Korean older adults. Using the Korea Retirement and Income Study(KReIS), nationally-representative panel data, this study focuses on three research questions; 1) Are there income differences between married couples and non-married couples among Korean older adults, 2) how much does income change after the death of their spouse across gender , 3) Are the death of their spouse and length of widowhood associated with their income status across gender, controlling for social and economic status, such as education, age, residency, health status, working status, etc. The results show that female older adults are more likely to be less-educated, to experience the death of a spouse, and to live with their children, than their male counterparts. In addition, married couples have the higher level of household-income and the lower level of Gini coefficient than non-married couples after adjusting for family size and for inflation rate. Moreover, the couple-to-widow group has the lower level of household-income than the continuing couple group even when their both spouses are alive. The death of spouse affects negatively economic well-being of widowhood, but is not statistically significant. However, education, work, living with child have positive effects on economic well-being among Korean older adults and the results are statistically significant. The findings suggest that Korean welfare policy needs to focus on female older adults who more likely to live longer and to experience economic hardship after the death of a spouse than their male counterparts. In addition, Korea’s Social Security system needs to ensure that widows receive appropriate and effective public support for their financial security.
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KEYWORD
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Widowhood , Economic well-bing , Gender difference , Korea Retirement and Income Study(KReIS)
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