Question regarding the War Victim Pension variable (IWAR1)

FDZ SOEP
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Dataversion

SOEP_CORE.v41eu_Stata

Data Set

SOEP

Please describe your problem

Dear SOEP team,

I am currently working with the SOEP-PEQUIV dataset and have a question regarding the variables IWAR1$$ (war victim pension) and IWAR2$$ (Widows / orphans war victim pension).

According to the PEQUIV documentation, these variables represent gross income from war victim or war widow pensions. I have also checked the SOEP-PL codebook, but I am still not entirely sure how to interpret these variables.

Could you please clarify what exactly qualifies as a “war victim pension” or “widows / orphans war victim pension” in these variables? In particular, do they refer specifically to compensation/pensions related to World War II, for example, compensation received by individuals who were injured or otherwise affected as a result of WWII? Or do they refer more generally to compensation/pensions received because an individual was a victim of a war, potentially including other wars or conflicts?

I am asking because I am considering using these variables as a proxy for exposure to World War II.

Many thanks for your help.

2

Dear Ayisha2,

thank you for your interest in the SOEP data. War victims pensions was asked until 2015 in SOEP. I you look in the questionnaire of e.g. 2015 you will get the following question:

Compensation and assistance for war victims (Kriegsopferversorgung).

War victim assistance in Germany is a state-run system for the compensation and support of individuals who have suffered health impairments due to wartime events (such as the World Wars or post-war consequences like unexploded ordnance).

I hope this helps

Markus

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3

Dear Markus,

yes, it is really useful.

Thank you very much