State Fact Sheets - Alabama-Minnesota -- Social Security and Poverty Among the Elderly

April 8, 1999

Social Security and Poverty Among the Elderly:
State Fact Sheets

Alabama Arizona Arkansas California Colorado

Connecticut Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho

Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky

Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan

Minnesota Mississippi through Wisconsin

The following states have been omitted because the sample sizes in the states are too small to obtain reliable estimates: Alaska, Delaware, District of Columbia, Montana, North Dakota, Vermont, and Wyoming.

ALABAMA

Two in Five Elderly People in Alabama Lifted From Poverty By Social Security
140,000 Elderly Women Raised From Poverty

Social Security reduces the number of elderly people in Alabama who live in poverty from 324,000 to 101,000, lifting 222,000 elderly out of poverty. This finding is based on Census data for the five years from 1993 through 1997.

Without Social Security, 56 percent of elderly people in Alabama would be poor. Social Security reduces the elderly poverty rate in the state to 18 percent, a reduction of two-thirds.

The 222,000 elderly people in Alabama whom Social Security lifts from poverty represent 38 percent of all people age 65 and over in the state.

More than three of every five elderly people in Alabama whom Social Security lifts from poverty are women. Without Social Security, 216,000 elderly women in Alabama would be poor. Social Security lifts 140,000 of these women out of poverty. It lowers the poverty rate among elderly women in the state from 61 percent to 21 percent.

DATA NOTE: State-by-state estimates of the impact of Social Security on elderly poverty were calculated using data from the Census Bureau's annual Current Population Survey for the five years from 1993 through 1997. The figures for each state on the number and percentage of elderly people who would have been poor without Social Security represent the best estimates, using the Census Bureau's recommended procedures, of the number and percentage of those who would have been poor without the income provided by government benefit programs except for a few social insurance programs such as unemployment insurance. The full report provides more detailed information on the procedures used and on what statisticians refer to as the "confidence intervals" around these state estimates.

ARIZONA

One in Three Elderly People in Arizona Lifted From Poverty By Social Security
103,000 Elderly Women Raised From Poverty

Social Security reduces the number of elderly people in Arizona who live in poverty from 235,000 to 57,000, lifting 177,000 elderly out of poverty. This finding is based on Census data for the five years from 1993 through 1997.

Without Social Security, 43 percent of elderly people in Arizona would be poor. Social Security reduces the elderly poverty rate in the state to 11 percent, a reduction of three-quarters.

The 177,000 elderly people in Arizona whom Social Security lifts from poverty represent 33 percent of all people age 65 and over in the state.

More than four of every seven elderly people in Arizona whom Social Security lifts from poverty are women. Without Social Security, 138,000 elderly women in Arizona would be poor. Social Security lifts 103,000 of these women out of poverty. It lowers the poverty rate among elderly women in the state from 47 percent to 12 percent.

DATA NOTE: State-by-state estimates of the impact of Social Security on elderly poverty were calculated using data from the Census Bureau's annual Current Population Survey for the five years from 1993 through 1997. The figures for each state on the number and percentage of elderly people who would have been poor without Social Security represent the best estimates, using the Census Bureau's recommended procedures, of the number and percentage of those who would have been poor without the income provided by government benefit programs except for a few social insurance programs such as unemployment insurance. The full report provides more detailed information on the procedures used and on what statisticians refer to as the "confidence intervals" around these state estimates.

ARKANSAS

Two in Five Elderly People in Arkansas Lifted From Poverty By Social Security
79,000 Elderly Women Raised From Poverty

Social Security reduces the number of elderly people in Arkansas who live in poverty from 200,000 to 66,000, lifting 134,000 elderly out of poverty. This finding is based on Census data for the five years from 1993 through 1997.

Without Social Security, 60 percent of elderly people in Arkansas would be poor. Social Security reduces the elderly poverty rate in the state to 20 percent, a reduction of two-thirds.

The 134,000 elderly people in Arkansas whom Social Security lifts from poverty represent 41 percent of all people age 65 and over in the state.

Three of every five elderly people in Arkansas whom Social Security lifts from poverty are women. Without Social Security, 127,000 elderly women in Arkansas would be poor. Social Security lifts 79,000 of these women out of poverty. It lowers the poverty rate among elderly women in the state from 66 percent to 25 percent.

DATA NOTE: State-by-state estimates of the impact of Social Security on elderly poverty were calculated using data from the Census Bureau's annual Current Population Survey for the five years from 1993 through 1997. The figures for each state on the number and percentage of elderly people who would have been poor without Social Security represent the best estimates, using the Census Bureau's recommended procedures, of the number and percentage of those who would have been poor without the income provided by government benefit programs except for a few social insurance programs such as unemployment insurance. The full report provides more detailed information on the procedures used and on what statisticians refer to as the "confidence intervals" around these state estimates.

CALIFORNIA

Nearly One in Three Elderly People in California Lifted From Poverty By Social Security
635,000 Elderly Women Raised From Poverty

Social Security reduces the number of elderly people in California who live in poverty from 1,450,000 to 421,000, lifting 1,029,000 elderly out of poverty. This finding is based on Census data for the five years from 1993 through 1997.

Without Social Security, 43 percent of elderly people in California would be poor. Social Security reduces the elderly poverty rate in the state to 13 percent, a reduction of more than two-thirds.

The 1,029,000 elderly people in California whom Social Security lifts from poverty represent 31 percent of all people age 65 and over in the state.

More than three of every five elderly people in California whom Social Security lifts from poverty are women. Without Social Security, 927,000 elderly women in California would be poor. Social Security lifts 635,000 of these women out of poverty. It lowers the poverty rate among elderly women in the state from 49 percent to 15 percent.

DATA NOTE: State-by-state estimates of the impact of Social Security on elderly poverty were calculated using data from the Census Bureau's annual Current Population Survey for the five years from 1993 through 1997. The figures for each state on the number and percentage of elderly people who would have been poor without Social Security represent the best estimates, using the Census Bureau's recommended procedures, of the number and percentage of those who would have been poor without the income provided by government benefit programs except for a few social insurance programs such as unemployment insurance. The full report provides more detailed information on the procedures used and on what statisticians refer to as the "confidence intervals" around these state estimates.

COLORADO

Two in Seven Elderly People in Colorado Lifted From Poverty By Social Security
59,000 Elderly Women Raised From Poverty

Social Security reduces the number of elderly people in Colorado who live in poverty from 128,000 to 30,000, lifting 98,000 elderly out of poverty. This finding is based on Census data for the five years from 1993 through 1997.

Without Social Security, 37 percent of elderly people in Colorado would be poor. Social Security reduces the elderly poverty rate in the state to eight percent, a reduction of over three-quarters.

The 98,000 elderly people in Colorado whom Social Security lifts from poverty represent 29 percent of all people age 65 and over in the state.

Three of every five elderly people in Colorado whom Social Security lifts from poverty are women. Without Social Security, 80,000 elderly women in Colorado would be poor. Social Security lifts 59,000 of these women out of poverty. It lowers the poverty rate among elderly women in the state from 42 percent to 10 percent.

DATA NOTE: State-by-state estimates of the impact of Social Security on elderly poverty were calculated using data from the Census Bureau's annual Current Population Survey for the five years from 1993 through 1997. The figures for each state on the number and percentage of elderly people who would have been poor without Social Security represent the best estimates, using the Census Bureau's recommended procedures, of the number and percentage of those who would have been poor without the income provided by government benefit programs except for a few social insurance programs such as unemployment insurance. The full report provides more detailed information on the procedures used and on what statisticians refer to as the "confidence intervals" around these state estimates.

CONNECTICUT

One in Three Elderly People in Connecticut Lifted From Poverty By Social Security
101,000 Elderly Women Raised From Poverty

Social Security reduces the number of elderly people in Connecticut who live in poverty from 180,000 to 28,000, lifting 152,000 elderly out of poverty. This finding is based on Census data for the five years from 1993 through 1997.

Without Social Security, 40 percent of elderly people in Connecticut would be poor. Social Security reduces the elderly poverty rate in the state to six percent, a reduction of nearly six-sevenths.

The 152,000 elderly people in Connecticut whom Social Security lifts from poverty represent 34 percent of all people age 65 and over in the state.

Two of every three elderly people in Connecticut whom Social Security lifts from poverty are women. Without Social Security, 124,000 elderly women in Connecticut would be poor. Social Security lifts 101,000 of these women out of poverty. It lowers the poverty rate among elderly women in the state from 46 percent to eight percent.

DATA NOTE: State-by-state estimates of the impact of Social Security on elderly poverty were calculated using data from the Census Bureau's annual Current Population Survey for the five years from 1993 through 1997. The figures for each state on the number and percentage of elderly people who would have been poor without Social Security represent the best estimates, using the Census Bureau's recommended procedures, of the number and percentage of those who would have been poor without the income provided by government benefit programs except for a few social insurance programs such as unemployment insurance. The full report provides more detailed information on the procedures used and on what statisticians refer to as the "confidence intervals" around these state estimates.

FLORIDA

More than One in Three Elderly People in Florida Lifted From Poverty By Social Security
524,000 Elderly Women Raised From Poverty

Social Security reduces the number of elderly people in Florida who live in poverty from 1,166,000 to 282,000, lifting 883,000 elderly out of poverty. This finding is based on Census data for the five years from 1993 through 1997.

Without Social Security, 49 percent of elderly people in Florida would be poor. Social Security reduces the elderly poverty rate in the state to 12 percent, a reduction of three-quarters.

The 883,000 elderly people in Florida whom Social Security lifts from poverty represent 37 percent of all people age 65 and over in the state.

Close to three of every five elderly people in Florida whom Social Security lifts from poverty are women. Without Social Security, 720,000 elderly women in Florida would be poor. Social Security lifts 524,000 of these women out of poverty. It lowers the poverty rate among elderly women in the state from 53 percent to 14 percent.

DATA NOTE: State-by-state estimates of the impact of Social Security on elderly poverty were calculated using data from the Census Bureau's annual Current Population Survey for the five years from 1993 through 1997. The figures for each state on the number and percentage of elderly people who would have been poor without Social Security represent the best estimates, using the Census Bureau's recommended procedures, of the number and percentage of those who would have been poor without the income provided by government benefit programs except for a few social insurance programs such as unemployment insurance. The full report provides more detailed information on the procedures used and on what statisticians refer to as the "confidence intervals" around these state estimates.

GEORGIA

One in Three Elderly People in Georgia Lifted From Poverty By Social Security
152,000 Elderly Women Raised From Poverty

Social Security reduces the number of elderly people in Georgia who live in poverty from 369,000 to 116,000, lifting 253,000 elderly out of poverty. This finding is based on Census data for the five years from 1993 through 1997.

Without Social Security, 50 percent of elderly people in Georgia would be poor. Social Security reduces the elderly poverty rate in the state to 16 percent, a reduction of more than two-thirds.

The 253,000 elderly people in Georgia whom Social Security lifts from poverty represent 34 percent of all people age 65 and over in the state.

Three of every five elderly people in Georgia whom Social Security lifts from poverty are women. Without Social Security, 243,000 elderly women in Georgia would be poor. Social Security lifts 152,000 of these women out of poverty. It lowers the poverty rate among elderly women in the state from 55 percent to 21 percent.

DATA NOTE: State-by-state estimates of the impact of Social Security on elderly poverty were calculated using data from the Census Bureau's annual Current Population Survey for the five years from 1993 through 1997. The figures for each state on the number and percentage of elderly people who would have been poor without Social Security represent the best estimates, using the Census Bureau's recommended procedures, of the number and percentage of those who would have been poor without the income provided by government benefit programs except for a few social insurance programs such as unemployment insurance. The full report provides more detailed information on the procedures used and on what statisticians refer to as the "confidence intervals" around these state estimates.

HAWAII

Two in Five Elderly People in Hawaii Lifted From Poverty By Social Security
19,000 Elderly Women Raised From Poverty

Social Security reduces the number of elderly people in Hawaii who live in poverty from 46,000 to 14,000, lifting 33,000 elderly out of poverty. This finding is based on Census data for the five years from 1993 through 1997.

Without Social Security, 31 percent of elderly people in Hawaii would be poor. Social Security reduces the elderly poverty rate in the state to nine percent, a reduction of more than two-thirds.

The 33,000 elderly people in Hawaii whom Social Security lifts from poverty represent 22 percent of all people age 65 and over in the state.

Three of every five elderly people in Hawaii whom Social Security lifts from poverty are women. Without Social Security, 29,000 elderly women in Hawaii would be poor. Social Security lifts 19,000 of these women out of poverty. It lowers the poverty rate among elderly women in the state from 34 percent to 11 percent.

DATA NOTE: State-by-state estimates of the impact of Social Security on elderly poverty were calculated using data from the Census Bureau's annual Current Population Survey for the five years from 1993 through 1997. The figures for each state on the number and percentage of elderly people who would have been poor without Social Security represent the best estimates, using the Census Bureau's recommended procedures, of the number and percentage of those who would have been poor without the income provided by government benefit programs except for a few social insurance programs such as unemployment insurance. The full report provides more detailed information on the procedures used and on what statisticians refer to as the "confidence intervals" around these state estimates.

IDAHO

Two in Five Elderly People in Idaho Lifted From Poverty By Social Security
31,000 Elderly Women Raised From Poverty

Social Security reduces the number of elderly people in Idaho who live in poverty from 65,000 to 12,000, lifting 52,000 elderly out of poverty. This finding is based on Census data for the five years from 1993 through 1997.

Without Social Security, 49 percent of elderly people in Idaho would be poor. Social Security reduces the elderly poverty rate in the state to nine percent, a reduction of four-fifths.

The 52,000 elderly people in Idaho whom Social Security lifts from poverty represent 40 percent of all people age 65 and over in the state.

Three of every five elderly people in Idaho whom Social Security lifts from poverty are women. Without Social Security, 40,000 elderly women in Idaho would be poor. Social Security lifts 31,000 of these women out of poverty. It lowers the poverty rate among elderly women in the state from 53 percent to 12 percent.

DATA NOTE: State-by-state estimates of the impact of Social Security on elderly poverty were calculated using data from the Census Bureau's annual Current Population Survey for the five years from 1993 through 1997. The figures for each state on the number and percentage of elderly people who would have been poor without Social Security represent the best estimates, using the Census Bureau's recommended procedures, of the number and percentage of those who would have been poor without the income provided by government benefit programs except for a few social insurance programs such as unemployment insurance. The full report provides more detailed information on the procedures used and on what statisticians refer to as the "confidence intervals" around these state estimates.

ILLINOIS

Two in Five Elderly People in Illinois Lifted From Poverty By Social Security
324,000 Elderly Women Raised From Poverty

Social Security reduces the number of elderly people in Illinois who live in poverty from 654,000 to 137,000, lifting 517,000 elderly out of poverty. This finding is based on Census data for the five years from 1993 through 1997.

Without Social Security, 48 percent of elderly people in Illinois would be poor. Social Security reduces the elderly poverty rate in the state to 10 percent, a reduction of four-fifths.

The 517,000 elderly people in Illinois whom Social Security lifts from poverty represent 38 percent of all people age 65 and over in the state.

More than three of every five elderly people in Illinois whom Social Security lifts from poverty are women. Without Social Security, 432,000 elderly women in Illinois would be poor. Social Security lifts 324,000 of these women out of poverty. It lowers the poverty rate among elderly women in the state from 55 percent to 14 percent.

DATA NOTE: State-by-state estimates of the impact of Social Security on elderly poverty were calculated using data from the Census Bureau's annual Current Population Survey for the five years from 1993 through 1997. The figures for each state on the number and percentage of elderly people who would have been poor without Social Security represent the best estimates, using the Census Bureau's recommended procedures, of the number and percentage of those who would have been poor without the income provided by government benefit programs except for a few social insurance programs such as unemployment insurance. The full report provides more detailed information on the procedures used and on what statisticians refer to as the "confidence intervals" around these state estimates.

INDIANA

Three in Seven Elderly People in Indiana Lifted From Poverty By Social Security
195,000 Elderly Women Raised From Poverty

Social Security reduces the number of elderly people in Indiana who live in poverty from 375,000 to 66,000, lifting 309,000 elderly out of poverty. This finding is based on Census data for the five years from 1993 through 1997.

Without Social Security, 54 percent of elderly people in Indiana would be poor. Social Security reduces the elderly poverty rate in the state to 10 percent, a reduction of more than four-fifths.

The 309,000 elderly people in Indiana whom Social Security lifts from poverty represent 44 percent of all people age 65 and over in the state.

More than three of every five elderly people in Indiana whom Social Security lifts from poverty are women. Without Social Security, 244,000 elderly women in Indiana would be poor. Social Security lifts 195,000 of these women out of poverty. It lowers the poverty rate among elderly women in the state from 58 percent to 12 percent.

DATA NOTE: State-by-state estimates of the impact of Social Security on elderly poverty were calculated using data from the Census Bureau's annual Current Population Survey for the five years from 1993 through 1997. The figures for each state on the number and percentage of elderly people who would have been poor without Social Security represent the best estimates, using the Census Bureau's recommended procedures, of the number and percentage of those who would have been poor without the income provided by government benefit programs except for a few social insurance programs such as unemployment insurance. The full report provides more detailed information on the procedures used and on what statisticians refer to as the "confidence intervals" around these state estimates.

IOWA

Two in Five Elderly People in Iowa Lifted From Poverty By Social Security
92,000 Elderly Women Raised From Poverty

Social Security reduces the number of elderly people in Iowa who live in poverty from 185,000 to 37,000, lifting 148,000 elderly out of poverty. This finding is based on Census data for the five years from 1993 through 1997.

Without Social Security, 50 percent of elderly people in Iowa would be poor. Social Security reduces the elderly poverty rate in the state to 10 percent, a reduction of four-fifths.

The 148,000 elderly people in Iowa whom Social Security lifts from poverty represent 40 percent of all people age 65 and over in the state.

More than three of every five elderly people in Iowa whom Social Security lifts from poverty are women. Without Social Security, 120,000 elderly women in Iowa would be poor. Social Security lifts 92,000 of these women out of poverty. It lowers the poverty rate among elderly women in the state from 55 percent to 13 percent.

DATA NOTE: State-by-state estimates of the impact of Social Security on elderly poverty were calculated using data from the Census Bureau's annual Current Population Survey for the five years from 1993 through 1997. The figures for each state on the number and percentage of elderly people who would have been poor without Social Security represent the best estimates, using the Census Bureau's recommended procedures, of the number and percentage of those who would have been poor without the income provided by government benefit programs except for a few social insurance programs such as unemployment insurance. The full report provides more detailed information on the procedures used and on what statisticians refer to as the "confidence intervals" around these state estimates.

KANSAS

Nearly Two in Five Elderly People in Kansas Lifted From Poverty By Social Security
77,000 Elderly Women Raised From Poverty

Social Security reduces the number of elderly people in Kansas who live in poverty from 161,000 to 37,000, lifting 124,000 elderly out of poverty. This finding is based on Census data for the five years from 1993 through 1997.

Without Social Security, 49 percent of elderly people in Kansas would be poor. Social Security reduces the elderly poverty rate in the state to 12 percent, a reduction of three-quarters.

The 124,000 elderly people in Kansas whom Social Security lifts from poverty represent 38 percent of all people age 65 and over in the state.

More than three of every five elderly people in Kansas whom Social Security lifts from poverty are women. Without Social Security, 101,000 elderly women in Kansas would be poor. Social Security lifts 77,000 of these women out of poverty. It lowers the poverty rate among elderly women in the state from 52 percent to 13 percent.

DATA NOTE: State-by-state estimates of the impact of Social Security on elderly poverty were calculated using data from the Census Bureau's annual Current Population Survey for the five years from 1993 through 1997. The figures for each state on the number and percentage of elderly people who would have been poor without Social Security represent the best estimates, using the Census Bureau's recommended procedures, of the number and percentage of those who would have been poor without the income provided by government benefit programs except for a few social insurance programs such as unemployment insurance. The full report provides more detailed information on the procedures used and on what statisticians refer to as the "confidence intervals" around these state estimates.

KENTUCKY

Two in Five Elderly People in Kentucky Lifted From Poverty By Social Security
104,000 Elderly Women Raised From Poverty

Social Security reduces the number of elderly people in Kentucky who live in poverty from 253,000 to 66,000, lifting 186,000 elderly out of poverty. This finding is based on Census data for the five years from 1993 through 1997.

Without Social Security, 53 percent of elderly people in Kentucky would be poor. Social Security reduces the elderly poverty rate in the state to 14 percent, a reduction of nearly three-quarters.

The 186,000 elderly people in Kentucky whom Social Security lifts from poverty represent 39 percent of all people age 65 and over in the state.

Close to four of every seven elderly people in Kentucky whom Social Security lifts from poverty are women. Without Social Security, 153,000 elderly women in Kentucky would be poor. Social Security lifts 104,000 of these women out of poverty. It lowers the poverty rate among elderly women in the state from 57 percent to 18 percent.

DATA NOTE: State-by-state estimates of the impact of Social Security on elderly poverty were calculated using data from the Census Bureau's annual Current Population Survey for the five years from 1993 through 1997. The figures for each state on the number and percentage of elderly people who would have been poor without Social Security represent the best estimates, using the Census Bureau's recommended procedures, of the number and percentage of those who would have been poor without the income provided by government benefit programs except for a few social insurance programs such as unemployment insurance. The full report provides more detailed information on the procedures used and on what statisticians refer to as the "confidence intervals" around these state estimates.

LOUISIANA

One in Three Elderly People in Louisiana Lifted From Poverty By Social Security
97,000 Elderly Women Raised From Poverty

Social Security reduces the number of elderly people in Louisiana who live in poverty from 257,000 to 88,000, lifting 169,000 elderly out of poverty. This finding is based on Census data for the five years from 1993 through 1997.

Without Social Security, 55 percent of elderly people in Louisiana would be poor. Social Security reduces the elderly poverty rate in the state to 19 percent, a reduction of almost two-thirds.

The 169,000 elderly people in Louisiana whom Social Security lifts from poverty represent 36 percent of all people age 65 and over in the state.

Four in every seven elderly people in Louisiana whom Social Security lifts from poverty are women. Without Social Security, 153,000 elderly women in Louisiana would be poor. Social Security lifts 97,000 of these women out of poverty. It lowers the poverty rate among elderly women in the state from 57 percent to 21 percent.

DATA NOTE: State-by-state estimates of the impact of Social Security on elderly poverty were calculated using data from the Census Bureau's annual Current Population Survey for the five years from 1993 through 1997. The figures for each state on the number and percentage of elderly people who would have been poor without Social Security represent the best estimates, using the Census Bureau's recommended procedures, of the number and percentage of those who would have been poor without the income provided by government benefit programs except for a few social insurance programs such as unemployment insurance. The full report provides more detailed information on the procedures used and on what statisticians refer to as the "confidence intervals" around these state estimates.

MAINE

Two in Five Elderly People in Maine Lifted From Poverty By Social Security
39,000 Elderly Women Raised From Poverty

Social Security reduces the number of elderly people in Maine who live in poverty from 88,000 to 21,000, lifting 67,000 elderly out of poverty. This finding is based on Census data for the five years from 1993 through 1997.

Without Social Security, 55 percent of elderly people in Maine would be poor. Social Security reduces the elderly poverty rate in the state to 13 percent, a reduction of three-quarters.

The 67,000 elderly people in Maine whom Social Security lifts from poverty represent 42 percent of all people age 65 and over in the state.

Close to three of every five elderly people in Maine whom Social Security lifts from poverty are women. Without Social Security, 52,000 elderly women in Maine would be poor. Social Security lifts 39,000 of these women out of poverty. It lowers the poverty rate among elderly women in the state from 57 percent to 15 percent.

DATA NOTE: State-by-state estimates of the impact of Social Security on elderly poverty were calculated using data from the Census Bureau's annual Current Population Survey for the five years from 1993 through 1997. The figures for each state on the number and percentage of elderly people who would have been poor without Social Security represent the best estimates, using the Census Bureau's recommended procedures, of the number and percentage of those who would have been poor without the income provided by government benefit programs except for a few social insurance programs such as unemployment insurance. The full report provides more detailed information on the procedures used and on what statisticians refer to as the "confidence intervals" around these state estimates.

MARYLAND

Three in Ten Elderly People in Maryland Lifted From Poverty By Social Security
113,000 Elderly Women Raised From Poverty

Social Security reduces the number of elderly people in Maryland who live in poverty from 251,000 to 67,000, lifting 183,000 elderly out of poverty. This finding is based on Census data for the five years from 1993 through 1997.

Without Social Security, 41 percent of elderly people in Maryland would be poor. Social Security reduces the elderly poverty rate in the state to 11 percent, a reduction of nearly three-quarters.

The 183,000 elderly people in Maryland whom Social Security lifts from poverty represent 30 percent of all people age 65 and over in the state.

More than three of every five elderly people in Maryland whom Social Security lifts from poverty are women. Without Social Security, 161,000 elderly women in Maryland would be poor. Social Security lifts 113,000 of these women out of poverty. It lowers the poverty rate among elderly women in the state from 44 percent to 13 percent.

DATA NOTE: State-by-state estimates of the impact of Social Security on elderly poverty were calculated using data from the Census Bureau's annual Current Population Survey for the five years from 1993 through 1997. The figures for each state on the number and percentage of elderly people who would have been poor without Social Security represent the best estimates, using the Census Bureau's recommended procedures, of the number and percentage of those who would have been poor without the income provided by government benefit programs except for a few social insurance programs such as unemployment insurance. The full report provides more detailed information on the procedures used and on what statisticians refer to as the "confidence intervals" around these state estimates.

MASSACHUSETTS

One in Three Elderly People in Massachusetts Lifted From Poverty By Social Security
171,000 Elderly Women Raised From Poverty

Social Security reduces the number of elderly people in Massachusetts who live in poverty from 357,000 to 86,000, lifting 271,000 elderly out of poverty. This finding is based on Census data for the five years from 1993 through 1997.

Without Social Security, 47 percent of elderly people in Massachusetts would be poor. Social Security reduces the elderly poverty rate in the state to 11 percent, a reduction of three-quarters.

The 271,000 elderly people in Massachusetts whom Social Security lifts from poverty represent 36 percent of all people age 65 and over in the state.

More than three of every five elderly people in Massachusetts whom Social Security lifts from poverty are women. Without Social Security, 231,000 elderly women in Massachusetts would be poor. Social Security lifts 171,000 of these women out of poverty. It lowers the poverty rate among elderly women in the state from 53 percent to 14 percent.

DATA NOTE: State-by-state estimates of the impact of Social Security on elderly poverty were calculated using data from the Census Bureau's annual Current Population Survey for the five years from 1993 through 1997. The figures for each state on the number and percentage of elderly people who would have been poor without Social Security represent the best estimates, using the Census Bureau's recommended procedures, of the number and percentage of those who would have been poor without the income provided by government benefit programs except for a few social insurance programs such as unemployment insurance. The full report provides more detailed information on the procedures used and on what statisticians refer to as the "confidence intervals" around these state estimates.

MICHIGAN

Nearly Two in Five Elderly People in Michigan Lifted From Poverty By Social Security
279,000 Elderly Women Raised From Poverty

Social Security reduces the number of elderly people in Michigan who live in poverty from 561,000 to 116,000, lifting 445,000 elderly out of poverty. This finding is based on Census data for the five years from 1993 through 1997.

Without Social Security, 48 percent of elderly people in Michigan would be poor. Social Security reduces the elderly poverty rate in the state to 10 percent, a reduction of four-fifths.

The 445,000 elderly people in Michigan whom Social Security lifts from poverty represent 38 percent of all people age 65 and over in the state.

More than three of every five elderly people in Michigan whom Social Security lifts from poverty are women. Without Social Security, 367,000 elderly women in Michigan would be poor. Social Security lifts 279,000 of these women out of poverty. It lowers the poverty rate among elderly women in the state from 53 percent to 13 percent.

DATA NOTE: State-by-state estimates of the impact of Social Security on elderly poverty were calculated using data from the Census Bureau's annual Current Population Survey for the five years from 1993 through 1997. The figures for each state on the number and percentage of elderly people who would have been poor without Social Security represent the best estimates, using the Census Bureau's recommended procedures, of the number and percentage of those who would have been poor without the income provided by government benefit programs except for a few social insurance programs such as unemployment insurance. The full report provides more detailed information on the procedures used and on what statisticians refer to as the "confidence intervals" around these state estimates.

MINNESOTA

Two in Five Elderly People in Minnesota Lifted From Poverty By Social Security
110,000 Elderly Women Raised From Poverty

Social Security reduces the number of elderly people in Minnesota who live in poverty from 242,000 to 54,000, lifting 188,000 elderly out of poverty. This finding is based on Census data for the five years from 1993 through 1997.

Without Social Security, 52 percent of elderly people in Minnesota would be poor. Social Security reduces the elderly poverty rate in the state to 11 percent, a reduction of more than three-quarters.

The 188,000 elderly people in Minnesota whom Social Security lifts from poverty represent 40 percent of all people age 65 and over in the state.

Close to three of every five elderly people in Minnesota whom Social Security lifts from poverty are women. Without Social Security, 149,000 elderly women in Minnesota would be poor. Social Security lifts 110,000 of these women out of poverty. It lowers the poverty rate among elderly women in the state from 56 percent to 15 percent.

DATA NOTE: State-by-state estimates of the impact of Social Security on elderly poverty were calculated using data from the Census Bureau's annual Current Population Survey for the five years from 1993 through 1997. The figures for each state on the number and percentage of elderly people who would have been poor without Social Security represent the best estimates, using the Census Bureau's recommended procedures, of the number and percentage of those who would have been poor without the income provided by government benefit programs except for a few social insurance programs such as unemployment insurance. The full report provides more detailed information on the procedures used and on what statisticians refer to as the "confidence intervals" around these state estimates.

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Alabama	Arizona	Arkansas	California	Colorado
Connecticut	Florida	Georgia	Hawaii	Idaho
Illinois	Indiana	Iowa	Kansas	Kentucky
Louisiana	Maine	Maryland	Massachusetts	Michigan
Minnesota	Mississippi through Wisconsin
The following states have been omitted because the sample sizes in the states are too small to obtain reliable estimates: Alaska, Delaware, District of Columbia, Montana, North Dakota, Vermont, and Wyoming.