Purpose: To validate a survey research measure of subjective income, as measured by perceived income adequacy, in an international context. Design and Methods: The study population comprised persons aged 50 years and older in 12 countries from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (n = 28,939). Perceived difficulty in making ends…

According to the National Bureau of Economic Research, the Great Recession began in December 2007 and ended in June 2009. With a duration of eighteen months, this recession was almost double the length of the average post-World War II economic downturn. Although the worst recession since the Great Depression is now technically over, this analysis…

Empirical evidence of tax shelter usage is sparse. These data add weight to earlier concerns about whether tax incentives to save for retirement benefit upper-income groups more than middle- and lower-income groups and present the importance of different sources of income in providing retirement funds for this group. (Author/RC)

Explores relationship between recent policy reforms, targeting proposals, and a universal Social Security program. Explores principles that inform Social Security, concluding that treating benefits as taxable income and raising retirement age push at boundaries of universality without violating fundamental precepts of social insurance program. (BF)

This Technical Committee Report examines four tiers of retirement income: (1) social security; (2) private and public occupational pension programs; (3) income from assets and savings; and (4) needs-tested programs. A summary of principal findings and recommendations is followed by three sections discussing the statistical basis for this report.…

Traces development of pensions for retired teachers from 1891 to the 1930s. Presents excerpts from educational literature and primary sources such as letters and speeches to indicate various attitudes toward salaries, cost of living, financial problems of public school administration, and legislation mandating teacher retirement pay. (Author/DB)

Examines responsiveness of the nominal income of older persons to price changes and compares changes in their real income to trends in real income of other groups. Data from the Retirement History Study show the elderlys' income sources were not fixed in nominal terms, but increased as prices rose. (NRB)

A study was conducted to determine labor market factors influencing one's psychological well being and economic security after retirement. Research was found that supported the hypotheses that a worker's employment, earnings, and industry in the labor force greatly affect a retiree's financial position; the reason for labor force withdrawal…

Explored the propensity to save among community elderly by examining their anticipated use of hypothetical $10 and $25 weekly income increments. Savings were associated with income inadequacy and security concerns; and among the more affluent, with concerns about health and financial security. (Author/ABB)

Recent policy proposals have introduced need-based criteria, as well as the principle of wealthier older persons paying greater taxes or sharing more heavily in financing services and benefits than those who have less income and accumulated wealth. This article reviews emergence of new approaches and concludes with commentary on political…

This statistical handbook contains 378 tables and charts illustrating the changes in the United States' aging population based on data collected during the 1990 census and several other surveys. The tables and charts are organized by topic as follows: demographics (age and sex distribution, life expectancy, race and ethnicity, geographic…

The potential impact of the new nondiscrimination requirements of the Tax Reform Act of 1986 in faculty pension plans is devastating for faculty. The faculty's pension program's ability to survive in a form that serves the mutual interests of both faculty and institution is now in question. (MLW)

The testimony provided in these hearings addresses the most fundamental problem facing older Americans today, i.e., economic security. The report discusses the results of expanding social services and income transfer programs to reduce poverty, and examines ways to increase older adults' economic self-sufficiency through expanded employment…

Although the older person's economic stiuation has improved, older women, minorities, and rural residents have incomes significantly lower than those for the older population in general. Older married women may appear to be financially secure, but many of their resources often disappear when their husbands die. Widowhood or divorce endangers the…

This study examines the consumption of resources by retired persons by distinguishing between institutionally controlled resources (social security, medicare, prescription discounts, medicaid, heating subsidy, supplemental security income, veterans' benefits, disability income, and meals-on-wheels) and personally controlled resources (gardens,…