A study from the University of Michigan claims rich people die differently from the rest of the population.

The study, appearing in the August issue of the Journal for Palliative Care, says wealthier people are less likely than poor ones to suffer pain at the end of their lives, and wealthier elders experienced a lower number of symptoms overall.

Those in the richest half of the elderly population not only had less pain, but were less likely to suffer from shortness of breath and depression.

The researchers concluded, however, both rich and poor older Americans suffered more than expected in their last year of life.

Fatigue was the most common symptom, experienced by 57 percent of those who died.

The study was based on an analysis of data on 2,604 men and women age 70 or older who died between 1993 and 2000.