Who Social Security Helps

©iStock.com/AfricaImages

Social Security helps keep millions of Americans out of poverty. Below you will find AARP analysis on a state-by-state level explaining the impact the program has on low-income Americans and other retirees based on a variety of demographic factors. 
 

Social Security: Often a Vital Lifeline for Women and Minorities

Social Security provides older Americans an important source of reliable income during retirement, especially women and minorities, who have less access to income from other sources. Focusing on people 65 and over, this Fact Sheet demonstrates that minorities are less likely to have diverse income sources, and minority women rely more heavily on Social Security than do other groups. Read

Social Security: A Key Retirement Income Source for Older Minorities

As the minority population in the United States grows,1 it becomes even more important to understand which factors will affect the economic well-being of minorities in retirement. This paper examines differences by race, ethnicity, and nativity of three main sources of income of older Americans (age 65 and older): Social Security, pensions and retirement savings, and assets. Read
 

People Aged 65 and Older Who Rely on Social Security for 90% of Family Income (in 2013) and Average Monthly Benefit (December 2014) by State

Social Security benefits are a key income source for older Americans. For many, these benefits are the only source of retirement income guaranteed for life. These benefits provide seniors with the foundation of income and security that they need in retirement, having contributed to the program for years while working. Read
 

Social Security: Who's Counting on It?

In 2015, about 60 million people received a Social Security benefit. Social Security is a key source of retirement income for older Americans: almost 22 percent of people age 65 and older live in families that depend on Social Security benefits for 90 percent or more of their income. Read
 

Social Security Keeps Americans of All Ages Out of Poverty: State-Level Estimates, 2011-2013

Social Security benefits are a lifeline for many Americans, keeping them and their families out of poverty. In 2013, Social Security kept over 22 million Americans out of poverty, including over a million children (under age 18), over 6 million adults (between the ages of 18 and 64), and nearly 15 million people ages 65 and older. Read
 

Social Security Disability Benefits: A Lifeline for Workers with Disabilities

This fact sheet highlights the vital importance of Social Security benefits to workers with disabilities. More than one-third of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) beneficiaries depend on Social Security for nearly all of their family income. Read
 

Social Security: A Key Retirement Resource for Women

About a quarter of women ages 65 and older rely on Social Security for nearly all of their family income. Married and widowed women are more likely to have income from Social Security than divorced or never married women. In 2014, Social Security kept almost 34 percent of older women out of poverty, yet they are still more likely to be in poverty than older men. Read
 

Key Facts about Older Women and Social Security

Social Security benefits are vital to women’s retirement security.  More than a quarter of women aged 65 and older rely on Social Security for nearly all of their family income. Social Security family income kept roughly 38 percent of older women out of poverty, yet they are still more likely to be in poverty than older men. Read
 

Social Security is a Critical Income Source for Older Americans – State-Level Estimates

Social Security benefits are a key income source for older Americans. For most, these benefits are the only source of retirement income guaranteed for life and adjusted to keep pace with inflation. In 2012, about 38 million (88%) people aged 65 and older lived in a family that received Social Security. These benefits are also vital to the retirement well-being of many older Americans: in 2012, Social Security benefits kept 35% of older Americans (or more than 15 million) out of poverty. Read