Census Bureau: SIPP Wave 3

The Census Bureau conducts the SIPP, which is a household-based survey designed as a continuous series of national panels. New panels are introduced every few years with each panel usually having durations of one to four years. Respondents are interviewed at 4-month intervals or ``waves'' over the life of the panel. The survey is molded around a central ``core'' of labor force and income questions that remain fixed throughout the life of the panel. The core is supplemented with questions designed to address specific needs, such as obtaining information on household members' participation in government programs as well as prior labor force patterns of household members. These supplemental questions are included with the core and are referred to as ``topical modules.'' The topical modules for the 2008 Panel Wave 3 collect information about:

• Welfare Reform
• Retirement and Pension Plan Coverage

Wave 3 interviews will be conducted from May 2009 through August 2009.