The Health and Retirement Study A Longitudinal Study of Health, Retirement, and Aging Sponsored by the National Institute on Aging

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Sampling Weights Revised for Tracker 2.0 and Beyond

With the introduction of the new cohorts in HRS1998 the nature of the HRS sample changed dramatically and it became necessary to develop a revised set of sampling weights. Specifically the population of inference changed from American adults in the 1931 – 1941 or 1892 – 1923 birth cohorts to adults born prior to 1948. Furthermore we decided to revise weights for all past panel waves so as to use a consistent methodology. The new methodology involves post-stratifying each wave’s weights to the March CPS on the basis of the birth cohorts of the respondent and spouse and on the basis of respondent gender and race/ethnicity. These factors capture all the major characteristics of the sample design and provide consistent adjustments for sample attrition and mortality.

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Additional Information

• Sample Weights and Sample Selection Indicator for the Physical Measures in HRS 2004
• Sample Weights, Sample Selection Indicators and Response Rates for the Psychosocial and Disability Leave-Behind Questionnaires in HRS 2004
• Tracker File Data Description (see Section 5D. HRS Sample Weights)