TO BE, OR NOT TO BE, THAT IS THE QUESTION - AN EMPIRICAL-STUDY OF THEWTP FOR AN INCREASED LIFE EXPECTANCY AT AN ADVANCED AGE

This study reports an attempt to measure the value of an increased sur vival probability at advanced ages. It turns out that the average will ingness to pay for a program which would increase the expected length of life by one year, conditional on having survived to the age of 75 y ears, is lower than $1,500. The willingness to pay increases with a pe rson's age, but at a low and seemingly constant rare (1-4 percent per year).