Differences in the Likelihood of Ownership of Retirement Saving Assets by the Foreign and Native-Born

This research compares the determinants of retirement savings asset ownership between the native-born and immigrants. Analysis
of Survey of Income and Program Participation data indicate there do not appear to be differences in the likelihood of ownership
between European or Asian immigrants and the native-born, but there are differences between Latin American immigrants and
the native-born in retirement savings asset utilization. Distributional effects related to ethnic identity, income, and education
appear to compound these differences. While factors indicating greater acculturation increase the likelihood of ownership
for all immigrant groups, there are substantial differences in the way these variables affect ownership. General savings asset
ownership is more affected by immigration, while retirement savings is more sensitive to acculturation and ethnic identity.