Title page

Contents

Summary 2

Introduction 5

How the Official Poverty Measure Is Computed 6

Poverty Status of the Aged 7

Poverty Among the Aged by Demographic Characteristics 10

Age 10

Marital Status 13

Race and Hispanic Origin 16

Federal Programs for the Aged Poor 18

The Supplemental Poverty Measure (SPM) 21

Income Sources' Impact on Poverty of the Aged per the SPM 23

Additional Considerations 25

Poverty Not Measured for Certain Populations 25

Health Status Not Directly Included in Poverty Measures 25

Author Information 25

Disclaimer 26

Table 1. Share of Total Money Income from Specified Sources for Poor Individuals Aged 65 and Older, 2021 19

Figure 1. Number of Individuals Aged 65 and Older Below Poverty and Poverty Rate, 1966-2021 8

Figure 2. Poverty Rates, by Age Group: 1966-2021 9

Figure 3. Poverty Status of Individuals Aged 65 and Older, by Age Group, 1975-2021 11

Figure 4. Poverty Status of Individuals Aged 65 and Older in 2021, by Age Groups and Sex 12

Figure 5. Poverty Rates of Individuals Aged 80 and Older in 2021, by Living Status 13

Figure 6. Poverty Status of Individuals Aged 65 and Older, by Marital Status, 1975-2021 14

Figure 7. Poverty Status of Individuals Aged 65 and Older in 2021, by Marital Status and Sex 15

Figure 8. Poverty Status of Individuals Aged 65 and Older in 2021, by Marital Status, Sex, and the Presence of Children 16

Figure 9. Poverty Status of Individuals Aged 65 and Older, by Race and Hispanic Origin, 1975-2021 17

Figure 10. Poverty Status of Individuals Aged 65 and Older in 2021, by Race, Hispanic Origin, and Sex 18

Figure 11. Effects of Resources and Costs on the SPM Poverty Rate for the Population Aged 65 and Older: 2021 24