@TechReport{iza:izadps:dp18385,
            	author={Barschkett, Mara and Tréguier, Julie},
            	title={Spousal Death, Mental Health and Survivor Benefits},
            	year={2026},
	month={Feb},
            	institution={Institute of Labor Economics (IZA)},
            	address={Bonn},
            	type={IZA Discussion Paper},
            	number={18385},
            	url={https://www.iza.org/index.php/publications/dp18385},
	abstract={In this paper, we estimate the causal effect of social security income on mental health. We focus on widowhood, a life event associated with large and persistent mental health declines, and exploit a reform of the Dutch survivor benefits system that introduced cohort-based restrictions in benefit eligibility. Using administrative data, we find that reduced access to survivor benefits increases antidepressant use by 9%, accounting for 35% of the overall rise in antidepressant use following spousal death. A mechanism analysis shows that survivor benefits stabilize mental health by smoothing living standards, highlighting the potential welfare gains from well-targeted income support policies.},
	keywords={widowhood;survivor benefits;mental health;antidepressant use;income security},
            }