ScholarWorks at UMass Boston

Title

2016 Elder Economic Security Standard Index™ for Boston

Authors

Yang Li, University of Massachusetts BostonFollow
Ping Xu, University of Massachusetts BostonFollow
Jan Mutchler, University of Massachusetts BostonFollow
Center for Social and Demographic Research on Aging, University of Massachusetts Boston

Document Type

Research Report

Publication Date

3-2017

Keywords

Elder Economic Security Standard Index, Elder Index, income, older adults, affordable housing, health care, Boston, Massachusetts

Disciplines

Demography, Population, and Ecology | Gerontology | Public Policy | Social Welfare

Abstract

The Elder Economic Security Standard^TM Index (Elder Index) is a measure of the cost of living for older adults age 65 or older living independently in today's economy. The Elder Index defines economic security as the income level at which elders are able to cover basic and necessary living expenses and age in their homes, without relying on benefit programs, loans or gifts. The Elder Index defines an “economic security gap” as having incomes between the Federal Poverty Line and the Elder Index. Older adults living “in the gap” have incomes too high to qualify for many means-tested public benefits programs, yet too low to achieve intermediate- or long-term economic stability.

Community Engaged/Serving

Part of the UMass Boston Community-Engaged Teaching, Research, and Service Series. http://scholarworks.umb.edu/engage

Recommended Citation

Li, Yang; Xu, Ping; Mutchler, Jan; and Center for Social and Demographic Research on Aging, University of Massachusetts Boston, "2016 Elder Economic Security Standard Index™ for Boston" (2017). Center for Social and Demographic Research on Aging Publications. 17.
https://scholarworks.umb.edu/demographyofaging/17