How Many Seniors Live in Poverty?
Table 1: Adults Ages 65 and Older With Incomes Below 100% of Poverty Under Official and Supplemental Poverty Measures, by Selected Characteristics | |||||||
|
Number of people ages 65 and older (in millions) | Percent below 100% of the poverty threshold | Number below 100% of the poverty threshold (in millions) | ||||
Official poverty measure | Supplemental poverty measure | Difference | Official poverty measure | Supplemental poverty measure | Difference | ||
Total 65+1 | 51.1 | 9.2% | 14.1% | 4.9%* | 4.7 | 7.2 | 2.5 |
Age | |||||||
65-69 years | 16.8 | 8.2% | 12.2% | 4.0%* | 1.4 | 2.0 | 0.7 |
70-79 years | 21.0 | 8.5% | 13.3% | 4.8%* | 1.8 | 2.8 | 1.0 |
80+ years | 11.5 | 11.4% | 18.3% | 6.9%* | 1.3 | 2.1 | 0.8 |
Gender | |||||||
Men | 22.1 | 7.4% | 12.2% | 4.8%* | 1.6 | 2.7 | 1.1 |
Women | 27.2 | 10.5% | 15.6% | 5.1%* | 2.8 | 4.2 | 1.4 |
Gender by age | |||||||
Men 65-69 years | 7.9 | 7.3% | 11.1% | 3.9%* | 0.6 | 0.9 | 0.3 |
Men 70-79 years | 9.6 | 7.0% | 11.7% | 4.7%* | 0.7 | 1.1 | 0.5 |
Men 80+ years | 4.6 | 8.4% | 15.1% | 6.7%* | 0.4 | 0.7 | 0.3 |
Women 65-69 years | 8.8 | 9.1% | 13.1% | 4.0%* | 0.8 | 1.2 | 0.4 |
Women 70-79 years | 11.4 | 9.8% | 14.7% | 4.9%* | 1.1 | 1.7 | 0.6 |
Women 80+ years | 6.9 | 13.4% | 20.4% | 7.0%* | 0.9 | 1.4 | 0.5 |
Race/ethnicity | |||||||
White | 37.9 | 6.9% | 11.4% | 4.5%* | 2.6 | 4.3 | 1.7 |
Black | 4.4 | 18.7% | 23.5% | 4.8%* | 0.8 | 1.0 | 0.2 |
Hispanic | 4.1 | 17.3% | 25.5% | 8.2%* | 0.7 | 1.0 | 0.3 |
Gender by race/ethnicity | |||||||
White men | 17.3 | 5.6% | 9.6% | 4.0%* | 1.0 | 1.7 | 0.7 |
Black men | 1.8 | 16.2% | 21.1% | 4.8%* | 0.3 | 0.4 | 0.1 |
Hispanic men | 1.8 | 14.1% | 24.7% | 10.6%* | 0.2 | 0.4 | 0.2 |
White women | 20.6 | 8.0% | 12.8% | 4.9%* | 1.6 | 2.6 | 1.0 |
Black women | 2.6 | 20.4% | 25.2% | 4.9%* | 0.5 | 0.7 | 0.1 |
Hispanic women | 2.3 | 19.7% | 26.1% | 6.4%* | 0.5 | 0.6 | 0.1 |
Health status | |||||||
Excellent/very good | 18.5 | 5.7% | 9.6% | 3.9%* | 1.1 | 1.8 | 0.7 |
Good | 17.3 | 8.4% | 13.8% | 5.4%* | 1.5 | 2.4 | 0.9 |
Fair/poor | 13.5 | 14.6% | 20.6% | 6.1%* | 2.0 | 2.8 | 0.8 |
NOTE: The official poverty threshold was $11,756 for adults 65 and older in 2017. 1Estimates for the total 65+ population are based on data from 2017; all other estimates are pooled three-year averages from 2015-2017. All differences in the table between SPM estimates and official poverty estimates are statistically significant. Subtraction of official poverty measure estimates from SPM estimates may not equal estimates in difference column due to rounding. SOURCE: KFF analysis of Current Population Survey, 2016-2018 Annual Social and Economic Supplement. |
Table 2: Adults Ages 65 and Older With Incomes Below 200% of Poverty Under Official and Supplemental Poverty Measures, by Demographic Characteristics | |||||||
|
Number of people ages 65 and older (in millions) | Percent below 200% of the poverty threshold | Number below 200% of the poverty threshold (in millions) | ||||
Official poverty measure | Supplemental poverty measure | Difference | Official poverty measure | Supplemental poverty measure | Difference | ||
Total 65+1 | 51.1 | 30.1% | 42.0% | 11.8%* | 15.4 | 21.4 | 6.0 |
Age | |||||||
65-69 years | 16.8 | 24.9% | 35.8% | 11.0%* | 4.2 | 6.0 | 1.8 |
70-79 years | 21.0 | 29.9% | 42.0% | 12.0%* | 6.3 | 8.8 | 2.5 |
80+ years | 11.5 | 40.0% | 52.6% | 12.7%* | 4.6 | 6.1 | 1.5 |
Gender | |||||||
Men | 22.1 | 25.8% | 37.4% | 11.6%* | 5.7 | 8.3 | 2.6 |
Women | 27.2 | 34.4% | 46.5% | 12.0%* | 9.4 | 12.6 | 3.3 |
Gender by age | |||||||
Men 65-69 years | 7.9 | 22.8% | 33.0% | 10.2%* | 1.8 | 2.6 | 0.8 |
Men 70-79 years | 9.6 | 25.3% | 37.3% | 12.0%* | 2.4 | 3.6 | 1.2 |
Men 80+ years | 4.6 | 32.0% | 45.0% | 13.0%* | 1.5 | 2.1 | 0.6 |
Women 65-69 years | 8.8 | 26.7% | 38.3% | 11.6%* | 2.4 | 3.4 | 1.0 |
Women 70-79 years | 11.4 | 33.9% | 46.0% | 12.1%* | 3.9 | 5.2 | 1.4 |
Women 80+ years | 6.9 | 45.2% | 57.7% | 12.5%* | 3.1 | 4.0 | 0.9 |
Race/ethnicity | |||||||
White | 37.9 | 26.7% | 37.2% | 10.6%* | 10.1 | 14.1 | 4.0 |
Black | 4.4 | 47.0% | 60.3% | 13.3%* | 2.1 | 2.6 | 0.6 |
Hispanic | 4.1 | 46.7% | 65.5% | 18.8%* | 1.9 | 2.7 | 0.8 |
Gender by race/ethnicity | |||||||
White men | 17.3 | 21.9% | 32.3% | 10.4%* | 3.8 | 5.6 | 1.8 |
Black men | 1.8 | 42.3% | 54.8% | 12.5%* | 0.8 | 1.0 | 0.2 |
Hispanic men | 1.8 | 44.0% | 63.0% | 19.0%* | 0.8 | 1.1 | 0.3 |
White women | 20.6 | 30.7% | 41.4% | 10.7%* | 6.3 | 8.5 | 2.2 |
Black women | 2.6 | 50.2% | 64.1% | 13.8%* | 1.3 | 1.7 | 0.4 |
Hispanic women | 2.3 | 48.7% | 67.4% | 18.6%* | 1.1 | 1.6 | 0.4 |
Health status | |||||||
Excellent/very good | 18.5 | 20.7% | 30.9% | 10.1%* | 3.8 | 5.7 | 1.9 |
Good | 17.3 | 30.6% | 43.3% | 12.7%* | 5.3 | 7.5 | 2.2 |
Fair/poor | 13.5 | 43.9% | 56.9% | 13.0%* | 5.9 | 7.7 | 1.8 |
NOTE: The official poverty threshold was $11,756 for adults 65 and older in 2017. 1Estimates for the total 65+ population are based on data from 2017; all other estimates are pooled three-year averages from 2015-2017. All differences in the table between SPM estimates and official poverty estimates are statistically significant. Subtraction of official poverty measure estimates from SPM estimates may not equal estimates in difference column due to rounding. SOURCE: KFF analysis of Current Population Survey, 2016-2018 Annual Social and Economic Supplement. |
Table 3: Adults Ages 65 and Older With Incomes Below 100% of Poverty Under Official and Supplemental Poverty Measures, by State | |||||||
State | Number of people ages 65 and older (in millions) | Percent below 100% of the poverty threshold | Number below 100% of the poverty threshold (in millions) | ||||
Official poverty measure | Supplemental poverty measure | Difference | Official poverty measure | Supplemental poverty measure | Difference | ||
Total 65+1 | 51.1 | 9.2% | 14.1% | 4.9%* | 4.7 | 7.2 | 2.5 |
Alabama | 0.74 | 10.8% | 11.1% | 0.3% | 0.080 | 0.083 | 0.002 |
Alaska | 0.08 | 7.4% | 12.8% | 5.4%* | 0.006 | 0.011 | 0.005 |
Arizona | 1.12 | 10.1% | 14.0% | 3.9%* | 0.114 | 0.158 | 0.044 |
Arkansas | 0.47 | 9.7% | 13.3% | 3.6%* | 0.046 | 0.063 | 0.017 |
California | 5.36 | 10.7% | 19.8% | 9.1%* | 0.571 | 1.061 | 0.490 |
Colorado | 0.77 | 6.5% | 13.0% | 6.5%* | 0.050 | 0.100 | 0.050 |
Connecticut | 0.58 | 5.3% | 10.3% | 5.0%* | 0.031 | 0.060 | 0.029 |
Delaware | 0.16 | 8.2% | 11.8% | 3.6%* | 0.013 | 0.019 | 0.006 |
District of Columbia | 0.09 | 15.5% | 27.3% | 11.8%* | 0.014 | 0.025 | 0.011 |
Florida | 3.96 | 9.6% | 16.6% | 7.0%* | 0.380 | 0.658 | 0.278 |
Georgia | 1.29 | 11.8% | 14.1% | 2.3% | 0.153 | 0.182 | 0.029 |
Hawaii | 0.24 | 8.0% | 15.7% | 7.7%* | 0.019 | 0.037 | 0.018 |
Idaho | 0.26 | 6.8% | 11.5% | 4.7%* | 0.018 | 0.029 | 0.012 |
Illinois | 1.91 | 8.0% | 12.6% | 4.6%* | 0.153 | 0.242 | 0.088 |
Indiana | 1.00 | 9.5% | 13.6% | 4.0%* | 0.095 | 0.135 | 0.040 |
Iowa | 0.49 | 6.6% | 8.3% | 1.6% | 0.032 | 0.041 | 0.008 |
Kansas | 0.44 | 9.7% | 12.8% | 3.1% | 0.043 | 0.056 | 0.014 |
Kentucky | 0.74 | 13.3% | 14.0% | 0.6% | 0.098 | 0.103 | 0.005 |
Louisiana | 0.64 | 15.2% | 17.4% | 2.2% | 0.097 | 0.111 | 0.014 |
Maine | 0.26 | 6.5% | 6.9% | 0.4% | 0.017 | 0.018 | 0.001 |
Maryland | 0.87 | 7.5% | 15.6% | 8.1%* | 0.065 | 0.136 | 0.071 |
Massachusetts | 1.02 | 7.8% | 14.4% | 6.6%* | 0.080 | 0.147 | 0.067 |
Michigan | 1.66 | 6.9% | 9.6% | 2.7%* | 0.115 | 0.160 | 0.046 |
Minnesota | 0.89 | 6.8% | 11.5% | 4.6%* | 0.061 | 0.102 | 0.041 |
Mississippi | 0.44 | 12.7% | 14.5% | 1.8% | 0.056 | 0.064 | 0.008 |
Missouri | 0.98 | 8.7% | 11.7% | 3.0% | 0.085 | 0.115 | 0.030 |
Montana | 0.19 | 6.7% | 9.8% | 3.2%* | 0.013 | 0.019 | 0.006 |
Nebraska | 0.29 | 6.5% | 8.9% | 2.4% | 0.019 | 0.026 | 0.007 |
Nevada | 0.46 | 9.4% | 14.4% | 5.0%* | 0.043 | 0.066 | 0.023 |
New Hampshire | 0.22 | 6.8% | 10.7% | 3.9%* | 0.015 | 0.024 | 0.009 |
New Jersey | 1.40 | 8.5% | 17.1% | 8.6%* | 0.120 | 0.240 | 0.120 |
New Mexico | 0.33 | 11.4% | 15.2% | 3.8%* | 0.038 | 0.050 | 0.013 |
New York | 3.21 | 10.9% | 14.9% | 4.0%* | 0.349 | 0.477 | 0.128 |
North Carolina | 1.53 | 8.6% | 14.3% | 5.7%* | 0.132 | 0.218 | 0.086 |
North Dakota | 0.11 | 9.4% | 12.7% | 3.3%* | 0.010 | 0.014 | 0.004 |
Ohio | 1.81 | 8.0% | 10.8% | 2.8%* | 0.145 | 0.196 | 0.050 |
Oklahoma | 0.58 | 9.4% | 11.5% | 2.2% | 0.055 | 0.067 | 0.013 |
Oregon | 0.69 | 5.4% | 10.0% | 4.7%* | 0.037 | 0.069 | 0.032 |
Pennsylvania | 2.24 | 7.8% | 11.6% | 3.8%* | 0.174 | 0.259 | 0.085 |
Rhode Island | 0.17 | 7.8% | 9.5% | 1.7% | 0.013 | 0.016 | 0.003 |
South Carolina | 0.84 | 7.5% | 10.7% | 3.2%* | 0.063 | 0.090 | 0.027 |
South Dakota | 0.14 | 10.2% | 12.0% | 1.8% | 0.015 | 0.017 | 0.003 |
Tennessee | 1.09 | 8.7% | 12.9% | 4.2%* | 0.095 | 0.141 | 0.046 |
Texas | 3.43 | 10.5% | 16.8% | 6.3%* | 0.361 | 0.577 | 0.216 |
Utah | 0.34 | 6.3% | 11.6% | 5.3%* | 0.022 | 0.040 | 0.018 |
Vermont | 0.11 | 6.6% | 9.7% | 3.1%* | 0.007 | 0.011 | 0.003 |
Virginia | 1.18 | 8.8% | 16.3% | 7.5%* | 0.104 | 0.192 | 0.088 |
Washington | 1.12 | 6.3% | 9.6% | 3.3%* | 0.071 | 0.108 | 0.037 |
West Virginia | 0.34 | 9.0% | 10.2% | 1.3% | 0.030 | 0.035 | 0.004 |
Wisconsin | 0.92 | 5.9% | 8.1% | 2.3% | 0.054 | 0.075 | 0.021 |
Wyoming | 0.09 | 9.1% | 11.8% | 2.8% | 0.008 | 0.010 | 0.002 |
NOTE: The official poverty threshold was $11,756 for adults 65 and older in 2017. 1Estimates for the total 65+ population are based on data from 2017; all other estimates are pooled three-year averages from 2015-2017. *Indicates difference between SPM estimate and official poverty estimate is statistically significant. Subtraction of official poverty measure estimates from SPM estimates may not equal estimates in difference column due to rounding. SOURCE: KFF analysis of Current Population Survey, 2016-2018 Annual Social and Economic Supplement. |
Table 4: Adults Ages 65 and Older With Incomes Below 200% of Poverty Under Official and Supplemental Poverty Measures, by State | |||||||
State | Number of people ages 65 and older (in millions) | Percent below 200% of the poverty threshold | Number below 200% of the poverty threshold (in millions) | ||||
Official poverty measure | Supplemental poverty measure | Difference | Official poverty measure | Supplemental poverty measure | Difference | ||
Total 65+1 | 51.1 | 30.1% | 42.0% | 11.8%* | 15.4 | 21.4 | 6.0 |
Alabama | 0.74 | 37.9% | 44.4% | 6.5%* | 0.282 | 0.330 | 0.048 |
Alaska | 0.08 | 22.0% | 35.6% | 13.5%* | 0.019 | 0.030 | 0.011 |
Arizona | 1.12 | 28.8% | 36.6% | 7.8%* | 0.324 | 0.412 | 0.088 |
Arkansas | 0.47 | 39.2% | 45.4% | 6.2%* | 0.185 | 0.214 | 0.029 |
California | 5.36 | 31.2% | 49.3% | 18.1%* | 1.674 | 2.645 | 0.971 |
Colorado | 0.77 | 23.6% | 36.3% | 12.7%* | 0.181 | 0.279 | 0.097 |
Connecticut | 0.58 | 20.8% | 32.8% | 12.0%* | 0.121 | 0.191 | 0.070 |
Delaware | 0.16 | 24.7% | 38.8% | 14.1%* | 0.040 | 0.062 | 0.023 |
District of Columbia | 0.09 | 34.0% | 51.0% | 16.9%* | 0.031 | 0.047 | 0.016 |
Florida | 3.96 | 34.7% | 48.4% | 13.7%* | 1.373 | 1.915 | 0.542 |
Georgia | 1.29 | 37.7% | 47.1% | 9.3%* | 0.488 | 0.609 | 0.121 |
Hawaii | 0.24 | 24.6% | 47.0% | 22.3%* | 0.058 | 0.111 | 0.053 |
Idaho | 0.26 | 31.7% | 40.5% | 8.8%* | 0.081 | 0.104 | 0.023 |
Illinois | 1.91 | 26.0% | 38.2% | 12.3%* | 0.497 | 0.732 | 0.235 |
Indiana | 1.00 | 29.1% | 40.5% | 11.3%* | 0.290 | 0.403 | 0.113 |
Iowa | 0.49 | 24.2% | 30.3% | 6.1% | 0.119 | 0.148 | 0.030 |
Kansas | 0.44 | 32.0% | 39.9% | 7.9%* | 0.141 | 0.175 | 0.035 |
Kentucky | 0.74 | 38.4% | 45.7% | 7.3%* | 0.283 | 0.337 | 0.054 |
Louisiana | 0.64 | 42.0% | 49.8% | 7.8%* | 0.268 | 0.318 | 0.050 |
Maine | 0.26 | 32.9% | 44.7% | 11.9%* | 0.086 | 0.117 | 0.031 |
Maryland | 0.87 | 23.8% | 41.7% | 17.9%* | 0.208 | 0.364 | 0.156 |
Massachusetts | 1.02 | 28.6% | 45.4% | 16.8%* | 0.291 | 0.462 | 0.171 |
Michigan | 1.66 | 25.7% | 35.4% | 9.7%* | 0.427 | 0.587 | 0.160 |
Minnesota | 0.89 | 25.5% | 34.7% | 9.2%* | 0.226 | 0.308 | 0.082 |
Mississippi | 0.44 | 45.6% | 49.6% | 4.0% | 0.201 | 0.219 | 0.018 |
Missouri | 0.98 | 31.2% | 37.9% | 6.7%* | 0.306 | 0.372 | 0.065 |
Montana | 0.19 | 30.2% | 37.5% | 7.3%* | 0.059 | 0.073 | 0.014 |
Nebraska | 0.29 | 26.8% | 34.8% | 8.0%* | 0.078 | 0.102 | 0.023 |
Nevada | 0.46 | 28.7% | 41.8% | 13.2%* | 0.132 | 0.193 | 0.061 |
New Hampshire | 0.22 | 22.0% | 36.6% | 14.5%* | 0.049 | 0.081 | 0.032 |
New Jersey | 1.40 | 28.1% | 46.3% | 18.2%* | 0.394 | 0.649 | 0.255 |
New Mexico | 0.33 | 36.0% | 41.3% | 5.3%* | 0.119 | 0.136 | 0.017 |
New York | 3.21 | 31.0% | 46.0% | 15.0%* | 0.996 | 1.478 | 0.482 |
North Carolina | 1.53 | 33.9% | 44.1% | 10.2%* | 0.518 | 0.674 | 0.156 |
North Dakota | 0.11 | 31.2% | 38.3% | 7.2%* | 0.033 | 0.041 | 0.008 |
Ohio | 1.81 | 28.0% | 34.8% | 6.8%* | 0.506 | 0.629 | 0.123 |
Oklahoma | 0.58 | 36.5% | 43.3% | 6.8% | 0.213 | 0.253 | 0.040 |
Oregon | 0.69 | 24.0% | 34.3% | 10.3%* | 0.165 | 0.236 | 0.071 |
Pennsylvania | 2.24 | 27.7% | 39.2% | 11.5%* | 0.619 | 0.876 | 0.257 |
Rhode Island | 0.17 | 27.8% | 36.1% | 8.3%* | 0.046 | 0.059 | 0.014 |
South Carolina | 0.84 | 30.3% | 39.6% | 9.3%* | 0.255 | 0.333 | 0.078 |
South Dakota | 0.14 | 32.2% | 37.1% | 4.9% | 0.046 | 0.053 | 0.007 |
Tennessee | 1.09 | 33.3% | 43.0% | 9.7%* | 0.363 | 0.469 | 0.106 |
Texas | 3.43 | 33.3% | 44.4% | 11.1%* | 1.141 | 1.521 | 0.380 |
Utah | 0.34 | 24.5% | 34.3% | 9.8%* | 0.084 | 0.117 | 0.034 |
Vermont | 0.11 | 30.2% | 40.4% | 10.2%* | 0.033 | 0.044 | 0.011 |
Virginia | 1.18 | 31.3% | 43.0% | 11.6%* | 0.368 | 0.505 | 0.137 |
Washington | 1.12 | 24.2% | 34.6% | 10.4%* | 0.272 | 0.389 | 0.117 |
West Virginia | 0.34 | 37.4% | 41.2% | 3.7% | 0.127 | 0.140 | 0.013 |
Wisconsin | 0.92 | 23.6% | 34.1% | 10.6%* | 0.218 | 0.316 | 0.098 |
Wyoming | 0.09 | 27.4% | 35.7% | 8.3% | 0.023 | 0.031 | 0.007 |
NOTE: The official poverty threshold was $11,756 for adults 65 and older in 2017. 1Estimates for the total 65+ population are based on data from 2017; all other estimates are pooled three-year averages from 2015-2017. *Indicates difference between SPM estimate and official poverty estimate is statistically significant. Subtraction of official poverty measure estimates from SPM estimates may not equal estimates in difference column due to rounding. SOURCE: KFF analysis of Current Population Survey, 2016-2018 Annual Social and Economic Supplement. |