economic security

The RRF Foundation for Aging recently released an issue brief, “Working Together to Achieve Economic Security in Later Life”, which is a first in a series of briefs highlight the foundation’s approach to grantmaking. The brief focuses on the innovative ways for older adults to achieve financial well-being and also as an invitation to others to partner with the foundation on these and other critical issues. The issue brief and social media sharing toolkit are linked to this page.

US Senator Bob Casey (ranking member, Special Committee on Aging) has released a new report on how COVID-19 has exacerbated the challenges facing older Americans. The report outlines a blueprint for addressing the problems older adults face and highlights the services necessary to ensure Americans can age with dignity. This report contains policy recommendations that address three main areas: health care, economic security, and social supports.

This report estimates that half of all single older adults in the United States lack the income to afford basic needs, a calculation that matched Elder Index expense data with state-level income statistics. The report also ranks states based on their levels of elder economic insecurity by measuring the percentage of older adults who did not have sufficient income to meet their realistic expenses.

This three-part report begins with an examination of the causes of poverty for older women. It also explores the issue of intersectionality in light of disproportionate rates of poverty for both women of color and LGBTQ women. The second part of this report provides an overview of the various anti-poverty programs available for older women. Finally, the report concludes by offering specific policy recommendations for increasing older women’s economic security.