The Elder Economic Security Standard (2008)

The Pennsylvania Elder Economic Security Initiative^TM

Pennsylvanian low-income elders face financial challenges that threaten their already fragile economic stability and the health of their communities. On one side, they are pressured by ever-increasing expenses — housing, health care, fuel and utilities. On the other, they see fixed incomes eroded by weaknesses within the economy, Social Security payments that are by themselves inadequate, Supplemental Security Income that lies stagnant below the poverty level, underfunded public support programs, and asset limits which prevent those receiving public supports from saving for their retirements.

The Elder Economic Security Standard Index Measures Elders’ Economic Well-Being

How much income do the state’s elders need to meet the rising costs of living? What is the true impact of public support programs, such as medical assistance, utility assistance, or housing assistance on elders’ expenses and income needs? To accurately answer these questions, policymakers, advocates and social service providers require an accurate measure of elders’ economic security. The national Elder Economic Security Initiative^TM program, a multi-year, research-driven initiative to raise awareness and promote policy change for older adults, offers such a benchmark — the Elder Economic Security Standard^TM Index.