The U.S. Census Bureau today released a new report on adults age 65 and over who are living in poverty. Using data from the Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP), the Profile of Older Adults by Poverty Status: 2021 report examines the sociodemographic characteristics, living arrangements, program participation, and net worth of older adults by poverty status.
The SIPP is a nationally representative, longitudinal survey administered by the Census Bureau that provides comprehensive information on the dynamics of income, employment, household composition, and government program participation.
Many older adults rely heavily on Social Security, the largest anti-poverty program in the United States, and research shows it was the sole source of income for 28% of adult recipients in 2021.
But not all older adults get Social Security benefits, for reasons such as insufficient or no work history. In 2021, older adults — defined here as those age 65 and over — who were living in poverty were less likely than their counterparts not in poverty to receive income from programs such as Social Security.
What are the characteristics and living arrangements of these older adults in poverty — and what income sources do they rely on to make ends meet?
A U.S. Census Bureau report published today uses data from the Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP) to draw a profile of the 4.7 million older adults who lived in poverty in 2021.
