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UAS Comprehensive File And Panel Dataset

The UAS Comprehensive File (CF) and the newly released UAS Comprehensive Panel Dataset (CPD) provide harmonized, multi-wave data from the Understanding America Study's (UAS) core biannual surveys. Developed by the Center for Economic and Social Research (CESR) at the University of Southern California, these datasets give researchers easy access to rich, longitudinal information on health, demographics, cognition, financial wellbeing, and more.

Both datasets draw from the same underlying survey content and share the vast majority of variables. However, they are structured differently to suit different analytical needs:

The CF and CPD merge the data from the biannual core surveys in the UAS (surveys that are repeated every two years). They include basic demographics as well data on cognitive tests, personality, financial literacy, subjective well-being, health, retirement, several surveys dealing with financial management, preparation for retirement and knowledge of Social Security rules. They also include the harmonized version of the UAS-Health and Retirement Study (UAS-HRS).

Both are updated quarterly and can be linked to additional UAS content using the 'uasid' identifier.

Use the tabs below to learn more and access downloads (last updated in September 2025). Interested to explore the data visually? Check out the Interactive Data Explorer.



The UAS Comprehensive File (CF) combines the core biannual UAS surveys into a wide-format dataset. Each respondent appears only once, with variables spanning across waves.

The Comprehensive File has been updated quarterly since 2018. The wide structure is ideal for:

  • Multi-wave comparisons in a single row
  • Cross-sectional snapshot

The CF also includes wave-specific weights and can be easily merged (1-to-1) with other single survey UAS files. Download the UAS Comprehensive File with the UAS Comprehensive File Data Description.

The UAS Component File accompanies the UAS Comprehensive File. The Component File contains the HRS income and wealth component variables that comprise several HRS income and wealth summary variables. In addition, there are timestamp variables indicating when the respondent began taking each UAS survey in the Comprehensive File, and timestamps marking when the respondent completed each survey. Other variables in the Component File include demographic variables from the My Household survey associated with each UAS survey in the Comprehensive File.

The Component File can be linked to the Comprehensive file by using the uasid identifier variable. The UAS Component File can be downloaded here. Please look at the UAS Component File Data Description for detailed information about the Component File.


The UAS Component File

UAS Comprehensive Panel Dataset (CPD) is a panel-structured version of the UAS Comprehensive File, developed by CESR to support longitudinal analysis. Like the CF, the CPD consolidates core biannual UAS surveys - but it does so in long format, with each row representing a respondent-by-wave observation.

This structure allows researchers to:
  • Analyze transitions (e.g., changes in income, health, or employment)
  • Track trends in cognition or subjective wellbeing
  • Estimate panel models

Each wave covers an approximately two-year fielding period. The CPD variable names and conventions closely follow those of the CF and includes harmonized content across waves. Download the UAS Comprehensive Panel Dataset with the UAS Comprehensive Panel Dataset Description.


We are pleased to announce the launch of the UAS Comprehensive Panel Dataset (CPD), now available to registered users.

Key features of this new release:

  • Panel-structured format supports longitudinal tracking of respondents
  • Includes harmonized content from UAS core surveys across waves
  • Uses consistent variable names as in the CF
  • Updated quarterly with new survey waves
  • Covers key domains: demographics, health, cognition, income, employment, pensions, and wellbeing

We welcome your feedback as we continue to enhance the CPD. Please send questions or suggestions to uas-l@maillist.usc.edu.


The following downloads are available (last updated in September 2025):

Previous versions of these files can be downloaded in the UAS Comprehensive File Archive.


Funding for the initial waves of the Comprehensive Data File has been provided by the United States Social Security Administration, the National Institute on Aging through the grant U01AG054580 “Toward Next Generation Data on Health and Life Changes at Older Ages”, and the Society of Actuaries. Since 2023, the comprehensive file construction has been paid for by the continuation grant, U01AG077280. For citation please use the following for the different files and documentation:

  • UAS Comprehensive File. Produced by the USC Dornsife Center for Economic and Social Research, with funding from the National Institute on Aging and the Social Security Administration. Retrieved [RETRIEVAL DATE] from https://uasdata.usc.edu/page/UAS+Comprehensive+File.
  • UAS Comprehensive File Data Description. Produced by the USC Dornsife Center for Economic and Social Research, with funding from the National Institute on Aging and the Social Security Administration. Retrieved [RETRIEVAL DATE] from https://uasdata.usc.edu/page/UAS+Comprehensive+File.
  • UAS Comprehensive Panel Dataset. Produced by the USC Dornsife Center for Economic and Social Research, with funding from the National Institute on Aging and the Social Security Administration. Retrieved [RETRIEVAL DATE] from https://uasdata.usc.edu/page/UAS+Comprehensive+File.
  • UAS Comprehensive Panel Dataset Description. Produced by the USC Dornsife Center for Economic and Social Research, with funding from the National Institute on Aging and the Social Security Administration. Retrieved [RETRIEVAL DATE] from https://uasdata.usc.edu/page/UAS+Comprehensive+File.
  • UAS Component File. Produced by the USC Dornsife Center for Economic and Social Research, with funding from the National Institute on Aging and the Social Security Administration. Retrieved [RETRIEVAL DATE] from https://uasdata.usc.edu/page/UAS+Comprehensive+File.
  • UAS Component File Data Description. Produced by the USC Dornsife Center for Economic and Social Research, with funding from the National Institute on Aging and the Social Security Administration. Retrieved [RETRIEVAL DATE] from https://uasdata.usc.edu/page/UAS+Comprehensive+File.