The Elder Economic Security Initiative for Pennsylvania

A Snapshot of PA’s Aging Population: Planning for Today and Tomorrow With over 15% of the population 65 or over, Pennsylvania has the third largest aging population in the U.S. Social Security is the only source of income for 1 of out 4 retired Pennsylvanians. Eight percent of Pennsylvania elders live below the Federal Poverty Level. Over twelve percent of Pennsylvania elders live between % of the Federal Poverty Level.

What Is the Elder Economic Security Initiative? The Elder Economic Security Index: The new measure of income adequacy allows advocates to push for policy changes to improve living standards and economic security Quantifies the actual costs of basic expenses for older adults Looks at costs in every county in Pennsylvania Considers market costs of independent living Looks at elders beginning at age 65 Assumes elders are retired

Pennsylvania Elders With Typical Incomes in Retirement Fall Short Of Economic Security

The Realistic Cost of Living Sample rural, urban, suburban counties

A Sample Case: The Elder Index in a Suburban PA County (Dauphin) Monthly Expenses Elder PersonElder Couple Owner w/o Mortgage Fair Market Rent 1BR Owner w/o Mortgage Fair Market Rent 1BR Housing$420$575$420$575 Food$215 $395 Transportation$141 $226 Health Care = Good$368 $735 20%$229 $355 Elder Index Per Month $1,374$1,528$2,132$2,287 Elder Index Per Year $16,482$18,339$25,582$27,438

How Does Income Measure Up in a Suburban PA County? Expenses for elders in this suburban PA county are far above the average Social Security payment in Comparative IncomeElder Person w/o Mortgage Elder Person, Renter Federal Poverty Line 2007$10,210 SSI Payment-Maximum PA 2007 $7,476 Average Social Security Payment in County 2007 $12,608 Elder Economic Security Index $16,482$18,339 Index as % of Federal Poverty Guidelines 161%180% Average Social Security Payment as % of Index 76%69%

The Costs Increase: The Impact of Long-Term Care (LTC) at Home in a Suburban PA County Need for Care LowMedium High with Adult Day Health High w/o Adult Day Health Hours/ Week 6 hrs16 hrs36 hrs Cost/ Year $6,514$16,930$25,636$35,261 Index + LTC, Elder Renter $24,853$35,269$43,975$53,600

The Impact of Supports for a Single Elder Renter Living on Average Annual Social Security ($11,425) in Dauphin County Elder Standard Index (Expenses) + Food Stamps + Rx Assist. + Medical Assist. + Energy Assist. + Housing Assist. Housing$575 $562$270 Food$215$170 $215 Transportation$141 Health Care$368 $304$211 20% $229 Total Expenses (/mn) $1,528$1,483$1,420$1,326$1,313$1,066 Income (/mn)$952 Economic Security62%64%67%72%73%89%

Who Can Use the Elder Index? Advocates Service Providers Policymakers Funders Elders and their families

How Can They Use the Index? Benchmarking tool for policy planning Guide for budget appropriations Resource for setting eligibility levels Care management tool Educational tool Resource for personal future planning

Policy Recommendations Defend retirement income Support housing programs Remove application barriers

Policy Recommendations Broaden and deepen outreach on income supports Increase transportation access Promote rational policymaking by using the Index

For more information, please contact: PathWays PA – or us at CARIE – United Way of Southeastern PA – Wider Opportunities for Women – Questions or Comments?