AARP Voters Guide, 2012 GOP Presidential Candidates Discuss Medicare, Social Security

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The Voter Education Guide to the 2012 election is an important resource for Americans age 50 and over. The average age of Republican voters in the early primaries/caucuses is 65 and their concerns about retirement security need to be heard.

Voter
Profile

Learn more about all voters age 50 and over nationwide.

General Information

Heads of household age:

50-64: 28%
65+: 21%

Median Household income by age*:

50-64: $65,600
65+: $41,100

Unemployment rate age 55+: 5.9%

AARP members: 37 million

* The median income is the middle value of household incomes.

Social Security

Recipients: 12%
Average annual benefits: $13,600
90%+ of family income from benefits: 23%
50%+ of family income from benefits: 51%

Medicare

Enrollees: 12%
Average out-of-pocket health care costs for enrollees 65+: $4,900

What you
can do

Voters and the media must ask candidates questions about issues that affect retirement security. Also, make sure to vote and take part in shaping our nation's future.

Questions to Ask the Candidates

Jobs & Economy: Millions of Americans have lost their jobs. How would you help Americans, especially those age 50 and over, get back to work and improve the economy for all Americans?

Retirement Savings: Today, nearly half of all retirees rely on Social Security as their primary source of income. What policies would you promote to help people save for retirement?

Social Security: How would you protect Social Security for today's seniors and strengthen it for future generations?

Medicare: How would you put Medicare on stronger financial ground and protect today's seniors and future retirees from the burden of rising health costs?

Contact the GOP Presidential Hopefuls

Here’s your chance to ask them about the issues that matter most to you. Do

How to Sign Up

You know the issues, you've questioned your candidates, but are you registered to vote? If not, follow these four simple steps to enroll. Do

voter education guide
SURVEYS

GOP Voters in Early Primary States: Protect Social Security and Medicare From Deficit Cuts

Republicans who are likely to vote in the early primary and caucus states overwhelmingly oppose cutting Social Security and Medicare to reduce the deficit, according to AARP surveys released Nov. 10, 2011. Almost 2,000 registered voters in Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina and Florida were polled from Oct. 17 to Oct. 20. The results in each state reveal a disconnect between Washington and voters critical to choosing the next Republican presidential nominee.

Survey results by state: