The Respondent Cross-Year Benefits dataset is derived from Master Beneficiary Record (MBR) data for primary beneficiary and other (secondary) insured. Information is provided for years 1962 through 2008. The inputs to this dataset were received at different points in time over the past decade from the Social Security Administration:

• In 1992, 1994 or 1996 for HRS cohort members
• In 1993 or 1995 for AHEAD cohort members
• In 1998 or 2000 for CODA and War Baby cohort members as well as new spouses and never-interviewed respondents
• In 2004 for EBB and HRS cohort members, new spouses and never-interviewed respondents, and War Baby 1998/2000 refusers
• In 2006 for respondents interviewed face-to-face who were not asked previously (or in the case of Early Boomers, refused or non-response). These permissions are prospective and provide for biennial updates through 2030.
• In 2008 for face-to-face interviews. These permissions are prospective and provide for biennial updates through 2030.

Prior to 2006, respondent permissions were based on separate agreements between HRS and SSA. This meant that information was obtained only for the time period covered by the agreement. In 2006 and thereafter, the terms of the permission agreement allow HRS to obtain biennial updates of earnings and benefits data through the year specified. Since each new record set obtained from SSA reflects the most recent information available, the latest version of the Respondent Cross-Year Benefits dataset will always be most accurate. If current information for a given respondent is missing, the most recent data elements from past datasets are used.

This data set supersedes all previous Respondent Benefits releases.

Geographic information in HRS public release data sets is recoded to Census Division categories. Files derived from SSA administrative data may merged with these data sets, but may not be merged with any data containing geographic identifiers at a level of detail below Census Division. In addition, data sets derived from SSA administrative data may not be merged with any other restricted data set(s) without the explicit written permission of the Health and Retirement Study.