Possibly Inaccurate Age and Sex Data in the CPS ASEC PUMS Files

In April 2009, the U.S. Census Bureau acknowledged problems in the techniques it uses to prevent the identification of specific individuals in public-use microdata sample (PUMS) files. These techniques produced inconsistent sex ratios for people ages 65 and older in the PUMSs produced from the 2000 Census, the 2003-2006 American Community Survey, and the 2005-2006 Puerto Rican Community Survey. Evidence suggests that the 2004-2009 Current Population Survey ASEC PUMS files were also affected, although the Census Bureau has not confirmed this.

In December 2009, the Census Bureau released corrected age data (see Erratum #50 at this link) for the 2006 ACS/PRCS. However, it has not announced plans to release corrected CPS data. As a result, ASEC PUMS files for 2004-2009 may not be representative of the 65+ population at individual ages, and analyses of variables that are expected to change by age stand to be particularly affected.

For a full discussion of the problem and its implications for researchers, see:

Alexander, J. Trent, Michael Davern, and Betsey Stevenson. 2010. "Inaccurate Age and Sex Data in the Census PUMS Files: Evidence and Implications." National Bureau of Economic Research Working Paper No. 15703.