2016 AARP Survey: Gubernatorial Issues Facing North Carolina Voters Ages 45+

This AARP survey of 1,000 registered voters ages 45 and older found that most plan on voting in November.  Among the number of issues facing older voters, anxiety about financial security in retirement and feeling stressed over providing care to a loved one are two in which majorities of voters would like to know where candidates for Governor stand.

Key findings include:

• Half are anxious about their finances in the future and having enough money to live comfortably through their retirement years (very/somewhat anxious: 51%).

• One in five (21%) older North Carolina Registered Voters are not participating in a retirement savings plan offered by an employer.

• A majority (76%) of older North Carolina registered voters support a professionally managed state retirement savings plan, with over two in five (43%) saying they strongly support this plan.

• One in five (19%) survey respondents say they are currently providing unpaid care for an adult loved one who is ill, frail, elderly or has a disability.  

• Most (78%) agree that elected officials in North Carolina should support legislation that maintains or provides services for unpaid caregivers, with half (50%) saying they strongly agree.

This survey was conducted by telephone from a list of registered voters ages 45+ or older in North Carolina. Calls were made via cell phones (20%) and landline (80%). The interviews were conducted in English by Precision Opinion from August 18^th to August 21^st, 2016. Responses were weighted by age and gender to reflect registered voters ages 45 and older in North Carolina.

For more information about this survey or the methodology, please contact Jennifer Sauer at jsauer@aarp.org.  For more information about AARP in North Carolina’s efforts on these issues and others, please contact Douglas Dickerson at ddickerson@aarp.org or Steve Hahn at shahn@aarp.org.