Health and Retirement Study News

HRS Participant Web Site Updated

Wed, 16 Apr 2008 18:00:00 GMT

The HRS Participant Web Site has been updated with 2008 version of the HRS Sudy Participant Newsletter. Other changes include updated and new links as well as a text-sizing feature. This site is also available in a Spanish version.

RAND HRS Data (Version H) Release

Fri, 29 Feb 2008 18:00:00 GMT

A new version of the RAND HRS Data File has been released, replacing all prior versions. See the full announcement for details.

HRS Cross-Wave Master ID File Re-Release

Tue, 12 Feb 2008 14:06:00 GMT

The HRS Cross-Wave Master ID File (Final, Version 3.0) is now available. This version drops a sample line. See the full announcement for details.

HRS Tracker 2006 Re-Release

Thu, 31 Jan 2008 06:00:01 GMT

The HRS Tracker 2006 (Final, Version 2.0) is now available. This version corrects certain variables and drops a sample line. See the full announcement for details.

HRS 2006 Core Imputations

Tue, 18 Dec 2007 06:00:01 GMT

Income and wealth imputations for 2006 Core data have been created by RAND using the early release.

2001 Consumption and Activities Mail Survey

Fri, 6 Dec 2007 06:00:01 GMT

2001 Consumption and Activities Mail Survey (CAMS) Final Version 2.0 release is now available. This version updates decimal data values that were inadvertently left out of the prior release (v1.0).

HRS 2006 Post-Exit Final Release

Tue, 3 Dec 2007 06:00:01 GMT

The 2006 Post-Exit data were obtained by doing telephone interviews with proxy respondents for respondents who were interviewed in prior Exit waves and who had unresolved financial situations (Wills and Trusts, and Estate). This version (1.0) has 147 respondents.

HRS 2006 Exit Early Release

Wed, 17 Oct 2007 06:00:01 GMT

The current release of the 2006 Exit (Early Version 1.0) has 1,310 respondents. An Exit Interview is attempted with a proxy informant for panel members who have died. Proxy informants are chosen based on their knowledge of the health, family, and financial situation of the deceased (often the proxy is a widow, widower, or some other family member). The content of the 2006 Exit interview is similar to the 2006 core (or living) interview. As such, the 2006 Exit data can be used for research on medical care, expenditures, how assets are distributed following death, and family decision-making during the latter part of life.

HRS Cross-Wave Master ID File (Final, Version 2.0) is now available

Wed, 17 Oct 2007 06:00:01 GMT

The Master ID File has been updated to include information from 2006. The purpose of the HRS Master ID file is to simplify the process of merging HRS files. The HRS uses two ID variables in combination to uniquely identify individuals: HHID and PN. Ideally, these would be fixed at entry into the study and never need to be changed. They would be identical for a single individual in every wave and in the Tracker file. In practice, a small but non-negligible number of individuals have had changes in their HHID or PN variables. Therefore this file creates wave-specific HHID and PN numbers that match identically to IDs on each wave, paired with the current tracker HHID and PN.

HRS Tracker 2006 (Final, Version 1.0) is now available

Wed, 17 Oct 2007 06:00:01 GMT

The HRS 2006 Tracker file contains one observation for each individual who has ever been eligible to be interviewed by HRS in any wave. For each person, it contains several fixed demographic characteristics and a large number of wave-specific variables indicating interview status, and information about if, how, and when an interview was conducted. The HRS 2006 Tracker file also contains wave-specific sample weights for HRS households, respondents, and nursing home residents. A detailed description of the data is provided in the accompanying documentation file. Also see the updated HRS Cross-Wave Master ID File (Final, Version 2.0), now available.

Health and Retirement Study Public Use Datasets

Tue, 18 Sep 2007 06:00:01 GMT

A memorandum from the HRS Director containing information for Institutional Review Boards concerning respondent de-identification in HRS public data sets has been added to the Data Products page.

Guide to Content of the HRS Psychosocial Leave-Behind Participant Lifestyle Questionnaires: 2004 & 2006 Now Available

Tue, 4 Sep 2007 06:00:01 GMT

Provides an overview of psychosocial measures collected in leave-behind questionnaires given HRS respondents in 2004 and 2006..

HRS 2006 Core Early Release (v2.0) Now Available

Sun, 19 Aug 2007 06:00:01 GMT

Version 2.0 of the HRS 2006 Core Early Release is now available, replacing version 1.0, released in July 2007. The new release adds variables from alternate wave questions (asked only of new respondents in 2006) that were omitted in the earlier version.

HRS 2006 Core Early Release (v1.0) Now Available

Wed, 18 Jul 2007 06:00:01 GMT

The HRS 2006 Core Early Release contains data for 18,469 respondents and 12,605 households collected during the period March 2006 through February 2007. Several additional files will be released over the coming weeks, including sampling weights for the core and certain components, an updated tracker file, and results of blood spot assays (to be released as a health data product).

New Publication Released: Growing Older in America: The Health and Retirement Study

Fri, 7 Jul 2007 06:00:01 GMT

This publication is about one major resource -- the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) -- designed to inform the national retirement discussion as the population ages. Since its launch in 1992, the HRS has painted a detailed portrait of America�s older adults, helping us learn about this growing population�s physical and mental health, insurance coverage, financial situations, family support systems, work status, and retirement planning. Through its unique and in-depth interviews with a nationally representative sample of adults over the age of 50, the HRS provides an invaluable, growing body of multidisciplinary data to help address the challenges and opportunities of aging.

Cross-Wave HRS 1992-2004 Respondent Region and Mobility Dataset (Version 1.0) released

Fri, 18 May 2007 06:00:01 GMT

The HRS 1992-2004 Cross-Wave Respondent Region and Mobility Dataset is now available. The data file contains one record for each respondent (matching Tracker 2004, Version 2.0). The 1992-2004 Respondent Region and Mobility file replaces the previously released Respondent Region File.

HRS 2004 Exit Final Release (Version 1.0) released

Mon, 26 Feb 2007 06:00:01 GMT

The HRS 2004 Exit Final Release contains data for 1227 respondents. The data collection period for the 2004 Exit interview was March 2004 through February 2005.

2003 Consumption and Activities Mail Survey (CAMS) Final Version 1.0 released

Mon, 19 Feb 2007 06:00:01 GMT

In the fall of 2003, questionnaires assessing individual activities and household patterns of consumption were mailed to a sub sample of the Health and Retirement Study (HRS). The 2003 Consumption and Activities Mail Survey (CAMS), was an extension of the 2001 CAMS conducted in the fall of 2001.

HRS ADAMS 1 data (Early, Version 1.0) released

Thu, 15 Feb 2007 06:00:01 GMT

The Aging, Demographics, and Memory Study (ADAMS) is a supplement to the HRS funded by the National Institute on Aging (U01-AG009740) with the specific aim of conducting a population-based study of dementia. HRS formed a partnership with a research team at Duke University Medical Center to conduct in-person clinical assessments for dementia on selected HRS respondents. The purpose was to gather additional information on respondents� cognitive status and assign a diagnosis of (1) dementia, (2) cognitive impairment but not demented (CIND), or (3) non-case. Prior community-based studies of dementia have focused on a particular geographical area or have been based on nationally distributed samples that are not representative of the population. This study is the first of its kind to conduct in-home assessments of dementia in a national sample that is representative of the U.S. elderly population.

HRS Cross-Wave Master ID File (Final, Version 1.0) released

Sun, 4 Feb 2007 06:00:01 GMT

The purpose of the HRS Master ID file is to simplify the process of merging HRS files. The HRS uses two ID variables in combination to uniquely identify individuals: HHID and PN. Ideally, these would be fixed at entry into the study and never need to be changed. They would be identical for a single individual in every wave and in the Tracker file. In practice, a small but non-negligible number of individuals have had changes in their HHID or PN variables. Therefore this file creates wave-specific HHID and PN numbers that match identically to IDs on each wave, paired with the current tracker HHID and PN.

HRS Respondent Pension Data Tracker Files (Final, Version 1.0) released

Sun, 4 Feb 2007 06:00:01 GMT

The Respondent Pension Data Tracker files are constructed to enhance the user�s ability to utilize pension information from various jobs reported by respondents in up to seven waves of the Health and Retirement Study. These data files are especially useful to users who are interested in analyzing detailed information on respondents� pension history, current coverage, and pension wealth at each of the survey years. There is one data file for each of the seven waves. Each file includes variables indicating pension coverage from each job, identified by the job on which the pension is or was held, and the number of pension plans from current and previous employments. Each data file also includes an index identifying each of the previous pension plans that are dormant (i.e. not in pay status, not cashed out, rolled over, converted to an annuity, or lost), number of pension plans from current job, total number of previous pension plans through a current interview date, and the number of dormant pension plans that a respondent is entitled to (has active claim on) as of that interview date.

The HRS Tracker 2004 (Final, Version 2.0) released

Sun, 4 Feb 2007 06:00:01 GMT

The HRS 2004 Tracker file contains basic demographic information, interview status, and information about if, how, and when an interview was conducted. The HRS 2004 Tracker file also contains sample weights for HRS households, respondents, and nursing home residents. A detailed description of the data is provided in the accompanying documentation file.

The 2001 CAMS (Final, Version 1.0) released

Sun, 28 Jan 2007 06:00:01 GMT

In the fall of 2001, two different questionnaires were mailed to two random subsamples of the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) households interviewed in 2000. One of the questionnaires, the 2001 Consumption and Activities Mail Survey (CAMS), included questions about individual activities, household patterns of consumption, and individual use of prescription drugs.

The HRS 2005 Prescription Drug Study (Early, Version 1.0) is now available.

Sun, 28 Jan 2007 06:00:01 GMT

The HRS 2005 Prescription Drug Study is a supplemental study conducted in 2005. It is the first wave of a two-wave mail survey designed to track changes in prescription drug utilization as Medicare Part D, the prescription drug benefit, is phased in. The baseline wave, administered in 2005, was intended to capture prescription drug use, coverage, and satisfaction prior to the implementation of Medicare Part D, as well as awareness of the new drug benefit and available subsidies. In addition, questions about sources of information on Medicare Part D and expectations of the impact of Part D on prescription drug cost, coverage, and health were asked.

Data from the Internet Survey (Early, V1.0) released

Sun, 28 Jan 2007 06:00:01 GMT

In December 2002, a sub-sample of the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) participated in an Internet based survey developed jointly by the HRS, Survey Research Center, Institute for Social Research (ISR), at the University of Michigan and the RAND Corporation. The National Institute on Aging at NIH (R01 AG020638) provided funding for the 2003 Internet Survey. The 2003 Internet Survey Final Release (Version 1.0) questionnaire contained several different topical areas including Internet/computers, health problem, disability and work limitations, numeracy items, psychosocial items, expectations, and questions about housing/checking accounts, and stocks. Many of the questions were taken from the HRS survey, the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) and from the Current Population Survey (CPS). Completed interviews were obtained from 2,197 HRS respondents.

2006 Questionnaire Added

Tue, 2 Jan 2007 06:00:01 GMT

Core and Exit Questionnaires for the 2006 Biennial Survey are now available on the HRS Web site.

Data from the 2005 CAMS (Early, Version 1.0) released

Thu, 21 Dec 2006 06:00:01 GMT

CAMS 2005 is the third wave of the Consumption and Activities Mail Survey that began in 2001 with 5,000 individuals in 5,000 randomly selected households from the HRS. Of these, 4,156 were eligible to participate in CAMS 2003, after exclusions for death, loss to follow-up, or random assignment to another supplemental study.

The Imputations for Pension Wealth (V2.0) data set released

Thu, 21 Dec 2006 06:00:01 GMT

This file contains imputations for pension data from current jobs based on both the self-reported and the employer data. DB values are calculated or imputed from the 1993 and 1999 employer data which were obtained based on employer contact information provided by the respondent in the 1992 and 1998 core surveys. DC value imputations are based on the self-reported data.

Online Bibliography updated (December 2006)

Thu, 14 Dec 2006 06:00:01 GMT

The Online Bibliography has been updated with the results of searches conducted through December 14, 2006. The database now contains 1,179 items, including 573 journal articles.

Final Version of HRS 2002 Exit Released

Thu, 14 Dec 2006 06:00:00 GMT

The HRS 2002 Exit Final Release (Version 1.0) was made available to researchers on December 12, 2006. This data set contains information on 1501 respondents collected during the period August 2002 through March 2003.

Modules for HRS 2008 Invited

Mon, 13 Nov 2006 06:00:00 GMT

The HRS investigators welcome suggestions for experimental modules from the research community. Ideas for modules should be sent to the committee on experimental modules at hrsquest@isr.umich.edu. Please include the word "module" as the first word in your subject heading.

Final Version of HRS 2004 Post-Exit Released

Thu, 2 Nov 2006 06:00:00 GMT

The HRS 2004 Post-Exit Final Release (Version 1.0) was made available to researchers on October 24, 2006. This data set contains information on 465 respondents collected during the period March 2004 through February 2005.

Final Version of HRS 2002 Post-Exit Released

Thu, 2 Nov 2006 06:00:00 GMT

The HRS 2002 Post-Exit Final Release (Version 1.0) was made available to researchers on October 03, 2006. This data set contains information on 486 respondents collected during the period August 2002 through February 2003.

Carry Forward Files updated for 2004

Thu, 2 Nov 2006 06:00:00 GMT

The Cross-Wave Employment and Pension Data Labor Section Carry Forward Files have been updated with 2004 data. When an HRS respondent reported no change in employment status since the previous interview, certain questions relating to current employment were not asked. The files in this data release carry forward the information from prior waves whenever selected employment variables have been "skipped" in the current wave.

Changes to HSUBHH in 2004 HRS Core.

Thu, 2 Nov 2006 06:00:00 GMT

HSUBHH was changed for five respondents who reunited with a former spouse. As of October 17, 2006 the distributed version of the HRS 2004 Core has been updated reflect this change.

2004 HRS Core Corrections of October 5, 2006 Superseded.

Thu, 2 Nov 2006 06:00:00 GMT

The distributed version of the HRS 2004 Core has been updated to correct the minor errors described in this data alert. This data alert has now been retired.

Final Version of 2004 Core Released

Wed, 30 Aug 2006 06:00:01 GMT

The HRS 2004 Core Final Release contains data for 20,129 respondents, in 13,645 households. The data collection period for the 2004 interview was March 2004 through February 2005. The HRS Online Concordance has been updated to reflect the content of this release.

2003 Diabetes Study Released

Fri, 18 Aug 2006 06:00:01 GMT

The 2003 Diabetes Study is a supplemental study on diabetes conducted in 2003 and 2004. This study was conducted by mail with a sample of persons reporting diabetes in the 2002 wave.

2004 HRS Tracker File Now Available

Tue, 1 Aug 2006 06:00:01 GMT

The Tracker file contains basic demographic information, interview status, and information about if, how, and when an interview was conducted.

Getting Started with the Health and Retirement Study

Fri, 07 Jul 2006 06:00:01 GMT

This document provides new users with an introduction to HRS data resources. It also includes a tutorial on using Stata to analyze the RAND-HRS Data file, a cleaned and easy-to-use version of cross-wave data from the Health and Retirement Study data.

HRS 2000 Post-Exit Released

Thu, 06 Jul 2006 06:00:01 GMT

Version 1.0 of the HRS 2000 Post-Exit final release is now available for download. The 2000 Post-Exit data were obtained by doing telephone interviews with proxy reporters for respondents who were interviewed in prior Exit waves and had unresolved financial situations (Wills and Trusts, and Estate). The 2000 Post-Exit Proxy Final Release has 359 respondents.

New Version of the HRS 2002 Core Released

Fri, 23 Jun 2006 06:00:01 GMT

Version 2.0 of the HRS 2002 Core final release is now available for download. This is a maintenance release that corrects problems found since the last release.

New Version of the Pension Estimation Program Released

Wed, 21 Jun 2006 06:00:01 GMT

Version 1.2.2 of the Pension Estimation Program is now available for download. This is a maintenance release that corrects problems found since the last release.

HRS Funding Renewal Announced

Tue, 20 Jun 2006 06:00:01 GMT

At a briefing on Capitol Hill June 19, Michigan Congressman John Dingell announced a new award of $70 million to the Institute for Social Research (ISR) to continue the Health and Retirement Study, the nation's leading resource for data on the health and economic circumstances of Americans over age 50. The award from the National Institute on Aging (NIA), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), is the largest single research award in U-M history.

Update to the What's Available page

20 Mar 2006 06:00:01 GMT

The What's Available page has been revised and reformatted. It now includes links to information on Health Studies and Researcher Contribution Files.

Site Statistics Page - March 2006

6 Mar 2006 06:00:01 GMT

The Site Statistics page has been revised to reflect the move of the Concordance and Online Bibliography content to the main HRS Web site.

Correct Citation Text

22 Feb 2006 06:00:01 GMT

Users of HRS Public Release Data Products are reminded that they should include an appropriate citation in any research reports, papers, or publications based on these data.

Respondent Privacy Assurance

17 Feb 2006 18:00:00 GMT

The publication entitled "A Note to Health and Retirement Study Participants from HRS staff at the University of Michigan, and from the Social Security Administration" has been revised. The new version reflects changes for the 2006 interviewing year.

New Respondent Brochure

17 Feb 2006 18:00:00 GMT

The "2006 Brochure for Study Participants" is now available on the Participant Web site.

HRS 2004 Exit Data added to Online Concordance

17 Feb 2006 18:00:00 GMT

The Online Concordance database has been updated with metadata information from the HRS 2004 Exit interview.