The Causal Effects of Old Age Pensions

Old age pensions are a common feature of welfare policy worldwide. However, little is known about the effect of these pensions on the recipients and their families. In this study, the investigators will partner with the government of Tamil Nadu, India to study the effects of old age pensions. Households with a member who is likely to be eligible for the pension but not currently receiving it will be assigned to either a treatment or control condition. Those assigned to treatment will receive assistance in applying for the pension. Investigators will track outcomes of the elderly and their family members for several years following the intervention. In addition to the impact of pensions on economic and health outcomes, the study will also explore how pension receipt affects the elderly's ability to cope with the impact of the COVID crisis.

NCT Number	NCT04029194
Lead Sponsor	National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
Conditions	Aging
Enrollment	1,459 participants
Start Date	2019-02-04
Primary Completion	2027-12-31 (estimated)
Study Completion	2027-12-31 (estimated)
Updated on ClinicalTrials.gov	2025-07-11