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…

The quest for economic security for older women calls for a balance between government standards and public programs. Four components of an action agenda to improve the quality of life for older women are education, legislation, litigation, and negotiation. (SK)

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)

Papers included are as follows: "An Overview" (Ross); "The Outlook for Social Security in the Wake of the 1983 Amendments" (Munnell); "The Economics of Aging: Doomsday or Shangrila?" (Schulz); "Retirement Incentives--the Carrot and the Stick. (Why No One Works beyond 65 Anymore)" (Quinn); "Inflation and…

A national survey of the needs, resources, and future expectations of veterans aged 55 and over produced findings that the Veterans Administration (VA) will use over the next decade to plan facilities and programs to meet those needs. Findings indicated veterans had a higher educational level and were less likely to be at the lower end of the…

This report provides information on: (1) demographic changes in the elderly population; (2) the relationship of these changes to the retirement income status of the elderly and expenditures for acute health care and long-term care services; and (3) the extent to which potential changes to federal programs could affect the needs of the elderly. The…

Although the economic status of older persons has improved, women are at risk for poverty in old age as a result of their lifelong work experiences. Gender differences in work history, type of occupation, industrial sector, and retirement circumstances are contributing factors. (SK)

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…

Analyzed statistics relevant to and about older Americans are contained in this document. Chapter topics (with some subtopics) include the following: (1) size and growth of the older population (age distribution, life expectancy); (2) geographic distribution and mobility (mobility, countermigration); (3) economic status (median cash income, sex,…