April 8, 1999 Social Security and Poverty Among the Elderly:
State Fact Sheets
Alabama through Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Rhode Island Pennsylvania South Carolina Tennessee Texas Utah Virginia Washington West Virginia 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. Two in Five Elderly People in Mississippi Lifted From Poverty By Social Security
67,000 Elderly Women Raised From Poverty
- Social Security reduces the number of elderly people in Mississippi who live in poverty from 186,000 to 66,000, lifting 120,000 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 Mississippi would be poor. Social Security reduces the elderly poverty rate in the state to 21 percent, a reduction of almost two-thirds.
- The 120,000 elderly people in Mississippi whom Social Security lifts from poverty represent 39 percent of all people age 65 and over in the state.
- Almost four of every seven elderly people in Mississippi whom Social Security lifts from poverty are women. Without Social Security, 114,000 elderly women in Mississippi would be poor. Social Security lifts 67,000 of these women out of poverty. It lowers the poverty rate among elderly women in the state from 64 percent to 26 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.
More than One in Three Elderly People in Missouri Lifted From Poverty By Social Security 163,000 Elderly Women Raised From Poverty
- Social Security reduces the number of elderly people in Missouri who live in poverty from 348,000 to 83,000, lifting 265,000 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 Missouri would be poor. Social Security reduces the elderly poverty rate in the state to 11 percent, a reduction of more than three-quarters.
- The 265,000 elderly people in Missouri whom Social Security lifts from poverty represent 37 percent of all people age 65 and over in the state.
- More than three of every five elderly people in Missouri whom Social Security lifts from poverty are women. Without Social Security, 225,000 elderly women in Missouri would be poor. Social Security lifts 163,000 of these women out of poverty. It lowers the poverty rate among elderly women in the state from 53 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.
Two in Five Elderly People in Nebraska Lifted From Poverty By Social Security
50,000 Elderly Women Raised From Poverty
- Social Security reduces the number of elderly people in Nebraska who live in poverty from 106,000 to 22,000, lifting 84,000 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 Nebraska would be poor. Social Security reduces the elderly poverty rate in the state to 11 percent, a reduction of four-fifths.
- The 84,000 elderly people in Nebraska whom Social Security lifts from poverty represent 42 percent of all people age 65 and over in the state.
- Three of every five elderly people in Nebraska whom Social Security lifts from poverty are women. Without Social Security, 67,000 elderly women in Nebraska would be poor. Social Security lifts 50,000 of these women out of poverty. It lowers the poverty rate among elderly women in the state from 57 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.
Two in Three Elderly People in Nevada Lifted From Poverty By Social Security
40,000 Elderly Women Raised From Poverty
- Social Security reduces the number of elderly people in Nevada who live in poverty from 85,000 to 17,000, 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, 45 percent of elderly people in Nevada would be poor. Social Security reduces the elderly poverty rate in the state to nine percent, a reduction of four-fifths.
- The 67,000 elderly people in Nevada whom Social Security lifts from poverty represent 36 percent of all people age 65 and over in the state.
- Three of every five elderly people in Nevada whom Social Security lifts from poverty are women. Without Social Security, 53,000 elderly women in Nevada would be poor. Social Security lifts 40,000 of these women out of poverty. It lowers the poverty rate among elderly women in the state from 50 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.
Two in Five Elderly People in New Hampshire Lifted From Poverty By Social Security 30,000 Elderly Women Raised From Poverty
- Social Security reduces the number of elderly people in New Hampshire who live in poverty from 65,000 to 12,000, lifting 54,000 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 New Hampshire would be poor. Social Security reduces the elderly poverty rate in the state to nine percent, a reduction of more than four-fifths.
- The 54,000 elderly people in New Hampshire whom Social Security lifts from poverty represent 40 percent of all people age 65 and over in the state.
- Four of every seven elderly people in New Hampshire whom Social Security lifts from poverty are women. Without Social Security, 39,000 elderly women in New Hampshire would be poor. Social Security lifts 30,000 of these women out of poverty. It lowers the poverty rate among elderly women in the state from 54 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.
One in Three Elderly People in New Jersey Lifted From Poverty By Social Security
224,000 Elderly Women Raised From Poverty
- Social Security reduces the number of elderly people in New Jersey who live in poverty from 433,000 to 96,000, lifting 337,000 elderly out of poverty. This finding is based on Census data for the five years from 1993 through 1997.
- Without Social Security, 44 percent of elderly people in New Jersey would be poor. Social Security reduces the elderly poverty rate in the state to 10 percent, a reduction of more than three-quarters.
- The 337,000 elderly people in New Jersey 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 New Jersey whom Social Security lifts from poverty are women. Without Social Security, 292,000 elderly women in New Jersey would be poor. Social Security lifts 224,000 of these women out of poverty. It lowers the poverty rate among elderly women in the state from 50 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.
One in Three Elderly People in New Mexico Lifted From Poverty By Social Security 34,000 Elderly Women Raised From Poverty
- Social Security reduces the number of elderly people in New Mexico who live in poverty from 90,000 to 32,000, lifting 58,000 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 New Mexico would be poor. Social Security reduces the elderly poverty rate in the state to 17 percent, a reduction of nearly two-thirds.
- The 58,000 elderly people in New Mexico whom Social Security lifts from poverty represent 31 percent of all people age 65 and over in the state.
- Four out of every seven elderly people in New Mexico whom Social Security lifts from poverty are women. Without Social Security, 55,000 elderly women in New Mexico would be poor. Social Security lifts 34,000 of these women out of poverty. It lowers the poverty rate among elderly women in the state from 52 percent to 20 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.
One in Three Elderly People in New York Lifted From Poverty By Social Security
512,000 Elderly Women Raised From Poverty
- Social Security reduces the number of elderly people in New York who live in poverty from 1,165,000 to 353,000, lifting 812,000 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 New York would be poor. Social Security reduces the elderly poverty rate in the state to 15 percent, a reduction of more than two-thirds.
- The 812,000 elderly people in New York whom Social Security lifts from poverty represent 35 percent of all people age 65 and over in the state.
- More than three of every five elderly people in New York whom Social Security lifts from poverty are women. Without Social Security, 777,000 elderly women in New York would be poor. Social Security lifts 512,000 of these women out of poverty. It lowers the poverty rate among elderly women in the state from 55 percent to 19 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.
Two in Five Elderly People in North Carolina Lifted From Poverty By Social Security
197,000 Elderly Women Raised From Poverty
- Social Security reduces the number of elderly people in North Carolina who live in poverty from 479,000 to 140,000, lifting 339,000 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 North Carolina would be poor. Social Security reduces the elderly poverty rate in the state to 16 percent, a reduction of more than two-thirds.
- The 339,000 elderly people in North Carolina whom Social Security lifts from poverty represent 38 percent of all people age 65 and over in the state.
- Nearly three of every five elderly people in North Carolina whom Social Security lifts from poverty are women. Without Social Security, 301,000 elderly women in North Carolina would be poor. Social Security lifts 197,000 of these women out of poverty. It lowers the poverty rate among elderly women in the state from 58 percent to 20 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.
Two in Five Elderly People in Ohio Lifted From Poverty By Social Security
335,000 Elderly Women Raised From Poverty
- Social Security reduces the number of elderly people in Ohio who live in poverty from 686,000 to 149,000, lifting 537,000 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 Ohio would be poor. Social Security reduces the elderly poverty rate in the state to 11 percent, a reduction of nearly four-fifths.
- The 537,000 elderly people in Ohio 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 Ohio whom Social Security lifts from poverty are women. Without Social Security, 453,000 elderly women in Ohio would be poor. Social Security lifts 335,000 of these women out of poverty. It lowers the poverty rate among elderly women in the state from 54 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.
Two in Five Elderly People in Oklahoma Lifted From Poverty By Social Security
97,000 Elderly Women Raised From Poverty
- Social Security reduces the number of elderly people in Oklahoma who live in poverty from 226,000 to 61,000, lifting 165,000 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 Oklahoma would be poor. Social Security reduces the elderly poverty rate in the state to 15 percent, a reduction of nearly three-quarters.
- The 165,000 elderly people in Oklahoma 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 Oklahoma whom Social Security lifts from poverty are women. Without Social Security, 143,000 elderly women in Oklahoma 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 59 percent to 19 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.
Two in Five Elderly People in Oregon Lifted From Poverty By Social Security
89,000 Elderly Women Raised From Poverty
- Social Security reduces the number of elderly people in Oregon who live in poverty from 174,000 to 25,000, lifting 149,000 elderly out of poverty. This finding is based on Census data for the five years from 1993 through 1997.
- Without Social Security, 46 percent of elderly people in Oregon would be poor. Social Security reduces the elderly poverty rate in the state to seven percent, a reduction of six-sevenths.
- The 149,000 elderly people in Oregon 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 Oregon whom Social Security lifts from poverty are women. Without Social Security, 104,000 elderly women in Oregon would be poor. Social Security lifts 89,000 of these women out of poverty. It lowers the poverty rate among elderly women in the state from 52 percent to seven 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.
Two in Five Elderly People in Pennsylvania Lifted From Poverty By Social Security 456,000 Elderly Women Raised From Poverty
- Social Security reduces the number of elderly people in Pennsylvania who live in poverty from 914,000 to 182,000, lifting 732,000 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 Pennsylvania would be poor. Social Security reduces the elderly poverty rate in the state to 11 percent, a reduction of four-fifths.
- The 732,000 elderly people in Pennsylvania whom Social Security lifts from poverty represent 42 percent of all people age 65 and over in the state.
- More than three of every five elderly people in Pennsylvania whom Social Security lifts from poverty are women. Without Social Security, 594,000 elderly women in Pennsylvania would be poor. Social Security lifts 456,000 of these women out of poverty. It lowers the poverty rate among elderly women in the state from 58 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.
Two in Five Elderly People in Rhode Island Lifted From Poverty By Social Security
42,000 Elderly Women Raised From Poverty
- Social Security reduces the number of elderly people in Rhode Island who live in poverty from 83,000 to 20,000, lifting 64,000 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 Rhode Island would be poor. Social Security reduces the elderly poverty rate in the state to 13 percent, a reduction of more than three-quarters.
- The 64,000 elderly people in Rhode Island whom Social Security lifts from poverty represent 42 percent of all people age 65 and over in the state.
- Two of every three elderly people in Rhode Island whom Social Security lifts from poverty are women. Without Social Security, 58,000 elderly women in Rhode Island would be poor. Social Security lifts 42,000 of these women out of poverty. It lowers the poverty rate among elderly women in the state from 60 percent to 16 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.
Two in Five Elderly People in South Carolina Lifted From Poverty By Social Security 87,000 Elderly Women Raised From Poverty
- Social Security reduces the number of elderly people in South Carolina who live in poverty from 223,000 to 71,000, 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, 57 percent of elderly people in South Carolina would be poor. Social Security reduces the elderly poverty rate in the state to 18 percent, a reduction of more than two thirds.
- The 152,000 elderly people in South Carolina whom Social Security lifts from poverty represent 39 percent of all people age 65 and over in the state.
- Close to three of every five elderly people in South Carolina whom Social Security lifts from poverty are women. Without Social Security, 139,000 elderly women in South Carolina would be poor. Social Security lifts 87,000 of these women out of poverty. It lowers the poverty rate among elderly women in the state from 59 percent to 22 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.
One in Three Elderly People in Tennessee Lifted From Poverty By Social Security
118,000 Elderly Women Raised From Poverty
- Social Security reduces the number of elderly people in Tennessee who live in poverty from 305,000 to 108,000, lifting 198,000 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 Tennessee would be poor. Social Security reduces the elderly poverty rate in the state to 19 percent, a reduction of nearly two-thirds.
- The 198,000 elderly people in Tennessee whom Social Security lifts from poverty represent 35 percent of all people age 65 and over in the state.
- Three of every five elderly people in Tennessee whom Social Security lifts from poverty are women. Without Social Security, 203,000 elderly women in Tennessee would be poor. Social Security lifts 118,000 of these women out of poverty. It lowers the poverty rate among elderly women in the state from 61 percent to 26 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.
One in Three Elderly People in Texas Lifted From Poverty By Social Security
366,000 Elderly Women Raised From Poverty
- Social Security reduces the number of elderly people in Texas who live in poverty from 904,000 to 298,000, lifting 607,000 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 Texas would be poor. Social Security reduces the elderly poverty rate in the state to 17 percent, a reduction of two-thirds.
- The 607,000 elderly people in Texas 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 Texas whom Social Security lifts from poverty are women. Without Social Security, 564,000 elderly women in Texas would be poor. Social Security lifts 366,000 of these women out of poverty. It lowers the poverty rate among elderly women in the state from 55 percent to 19 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.
One in Three Elderly People in Utah Lifted From Poverty By Social Security
36,000 Elderly Women Raised From Poverty
- Social Security reduces the number of elderly people in Utah who live in poverty from 72,000 to 11,000, lifting 61,000 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 Utah would be poor. Social Security reduces the elderly poverty rate in the state to six percent, a reduction of more than four-fifths.
- The 61,000 elderly people in Utah 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 Utah whom Social Security lifts from poverty are women. Without Social Security, 43,000 elderly women in Utah would be poor. Social Security lifts 36,000 of these women out of poverty. It lowers the poverty rate among elderly women in the state from 44 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.
Close to One in Three Elderly People in Virginia Lifted From Poverty By Social Security 134,000 Elderly Women Raised From Poverty
- Social Security reduces the number of elderly people in Virginia who live in poverty from 312,000 to 96,000, lifting 216,000 elderly out of poverty. This finding is based on Census data for the five years from 1993 through 1997.
- Without Social Security, 45 percent of elderly people in Virginia would be poor. Social Security reduces the elderly poverty rate in the state to 14 percent, a reduction of more than two-thirds.
- The 216,000 elderly people in Virginia 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 Virginia whom Social Security lifts from poverty are women. Without Social Security, 208,000 elderly women in Virginia would be poor. Social Security lifts 134,000 of these women out of poverty. It lowers the poverty rate among elderly women in the state from 50 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.
One in Three Elderly People in Washington Lifted From Poverty By Social Security 112,000 Elderly Women Raised From Poverty
- Social Security reduces the number of elderly people in Washington who live in poverty from 237,000 to 54,000, 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, 42 percent of elderly people in Washington would be poor. Social Security reduces the elderly poverty rate in the state to nine percent, a reduction of nearly four-fifths.
- The 183,000 elderly people in Washington whom Social Security lifts from poverty represent 33 percent of all people age 65 and over in the state.
- Three of every five elderly people in Washington whom Social Security lifts from poverty are women. Without Social Security, 151,000 elderly women in Washington would be poor. Social Security lifts 112,000 of these women out of poverty. It lowers the poverty rate among elderly women in the state from 45 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.
More than Two in Five Elderly People in West Virginia Lifted From Poverty
By Social Security
80,000 Elderly Women Raised From Poverty
- Social Security reduces the number of elderly people in West Virginia who live in poverty from 170,000 to 45,000, lifting 125,000 elderly out of poverty. This finding is based on Census data for the five years from 1993 through 1997.
- Without Social Security, 59 percent of elderly people in West Virginia would be poor. Social Security reduces the elderly poverty rate in the state to 16 percent, a reduction of almost three-quarters.
- The 125,000 elderly people in West Virginia whom Social Security lifts from poverty represent 43 percent of all people age 65 and over in the state.
- Nearly two of every three elderly people in West Virginia whom Social Security lifts from poverty are women. Without Social Security, 114,000 elderly women in West Virginia would be poor. Social Security lifts 80,000 of these women out of poverty. It lowers the poverty rate among elderly women in the state from 65 percent to 19 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.
Two in Five Elderly People in Wisconsin Lifted From Poverty By Social Security
129,000 Elderly Women Raised From Poverty
- Social Security reduces the number of elderly people in Wisconsin who live in poverty from 271,000 to 51,000, lifting 221,000 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 Wisconsin would be poor. Social Security reduces the elderly poverty rate in the state to nine percent, a reduction of four-fifths.
- The 221,000 elderly people in Wisconsin whom Social Security lifts from poverty represent 39 percent of all people age 65 and over in the state.
- Nearly three of every five elderly people in Wisconsin whom Social Security lifts from poverty are women. Without Social Security, 168,000 elderly women in Wisconsin would be poor. Social Security lifts 129,000 of these women out of poverty. It lowers the poverty rate among elderly women in the state from 52 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.
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