Family Member Death and Subjective Life Expectancy Among Black and White Older Adults

Objective: To examine whether exposure to family member deaths throughout the life course is associated with subjective life expectancy—a person’s assessment of their own mortality risk—at age 65, with attention to differences by race. Method: We analyzed 11 waves of data from a study of men and women above age 50 (Health and Retirement Study; n = 13,973). Results: Experiencing the deaths of multiple family members before the respondent is 50 years old is negatively associated with subjective life expectancy at age 65. Discussion: Understanding the life-course predictors of older adults’ subjective life expectancy is particularly important because survival expectations influence long-term planning, health, and longevity. Moreover, Black Americans are exposed to more family member deaths earlier in their life compared with White Americans, with implications for long-term health and well-being.