Participating in HRS

If you are asked and agree to participate in the study, we will stay in touch with you as life goes on. Getting older for most of us is a process of slow changes. Staying in contact with you is how we keep track of those changes over the years.

Why You Were Chosen

Being a part of the Health and Retirement Study means that you are part of a scientific sample of people from your generation. You will represent thousands of other people across the country. Your participation is crucial to help the study accurately represent people like yourself.

Participation Activities

Once every two years, you will be asked to complete a detailed interview that asks questions about family connections, employment, health, and other topics. A typical interview should take two to three hours. In alternate years, you may be asked to complete a supplementary mail or online survey. For your help in this study, you will receive a monetary token of appreciation.

Data Security

Your identity as a participant and any personally identifying information you provide will be kept confidential. We follow strict practices to maintain the security of all data that could identify participants.

Participation in this study is completely voluntary, and is a valuable way that you can contribute to understanding the issues we are all facing.