• Advertise
  • Donate
  • Subscribe
    • Become a print subscriber
    • Sign up for e-Newsletter
    • e-Editions
Wednesday, October 4, 2023
No Result
View All Result
Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder
  • News & Features
    • National
    • Local
    • Special Editions
      • MLK Legacy
      • Black History Month
      • The MSR Celebrates Women’s History Month
  • All Sections
    • Opinion
      • Mellaneous by Mel Reeves
      • Word on the Street
      • Reaching Out From Within
    • Health + Wellness
      • Women’s Wellness
      • Parenting Today
      • Minnesota Cancer Alliance Breast Cancer Gaps Project
    • Sports
      • Timberwolves/NBA
      • Lynx/WNBA
        • 20 in 20
      • Twins/MLB
      • MN Wild/NHL
      • Vikings/NFL
    • Business
      • Small Business Month Celebration
      • Black Business Spotlight
      • Finances FYI
    • Arts + Culture
    • Photo Galleries
      • Photo of the Week
    • MSR Forefront Digital Roundtable Series
      • MSR Forefront Highlights
    • Go Green
    • Education
    • Bulletin
    • Jobs & Notices
      • Legals
      • Announcements
  • Events
    • Submit an event!
  • Obits
  • Sister Spokesman
  • e-Editions
Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder
  • News & Features
    • National
    • Local
    • Special Editions
      • MLK Legacy
      • Black History Month
      • The MSR Celebrates Women’s History Month
  • All Sections
    • Opinion
      • Mellaneous by Mel Reeves
      • Word on the Street
      • Reaching Out From Within
    • Health + Wellness
      • Women’s Wellness
      • Parenting Today
      • Minnesota Cancer Alliance Breast Cancer Gaps Project
    • Sports
      • Timberwolves/NBA
      • Lynx/WNBA
        • 20 in 20
      • Twins/MLB
      • MN Wild/NHL
      • Vikings/NFL
    • Business
      • Small Business Month Celebration
      • Black Business Spotlight
      • Finances FYI
    • Arts + Culture
    • Photo Galleries
      • Photo of the Week
    • MSR Forefront Digital Roundtable Series
      • MSR Forefront Highlights
    • Go Green
    • Education
    • Bulletin
    • Jobs & Notices
      • Legals
      • Announcements
  • Events
    • Submit an event!
  • Obits
  • Sister Spokesman
  • e-Editions
No Result
View All Result
Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder
No Result
View All Result

Even with Social Security, many seniors still struggle to make ends meet

by Clarence Hightower
June 8, 2016
4
SHARES
81
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on LinkedIn

AntiPovertySoldierA recurring theme in The Anti-Poverty Soldier columns has been the idea of economic security. Although there are an estimated 50 million Americans currently living below the federal poverty line, many experts suggest another 100 million or so can be classified as economically insecure.

In essence, this means that one major hardship or perhaps even a minor financial bump in the road for an economically insecure household would officially push them into the ranks of the poor. Put another way, nearly one half of all Americans are either poor or nearly poor.

In considering this reality, I worry that the circumstances of our seniors might not be receiving the proper attention. In a recent column, I addressed an editorial written by Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren that called for an increase the amount of Social Security paid to seniors.

The senator’s commentary, published in The Nation, came following the announcement that for only the third time in four decades there would be no annual increase in benefits. This is in spite of a considerable budget surplus at the U.S. Social Security Administration.

Some might argue that as a group, seniors are the least likely to live in poverty and will not be terribly affected by this decision. However, a substantial amount of research, including several studies from Minnesota, suggests that the perception that seniors are doing better than other age groups is dangerously deceptive.

- ADVERTISEMENT -

According to Wilder Research, less than six percent of Minnesotans between the ages of 65 and 74 live in poverty. The same data shows that among those 75 and older, less than 10 percent currently live in poverty.

Of the eight detailed age group categories, these two have the lowest incidence of poverty. The reason poverty remains relatively low among seniors is because of Social Security. In fact, 21 million American seniors would be officially counted as poor were it not for their Social Security benefits.

Still, as the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits (MCN) notes, a significant percentage of Minnesota seniors who live above the poverty line struggle to make ends meet. The MCN’s Minnesota Budget Project reports that “an elderly Minnesotan relying on Social Security benefits would spend almost 60 percent of his or her income to afford a one-bedroom market rate apartment in the Twin Cities.”

Additional research from Wider Opportunities for Women (WOW) is equally as troubling.  Influenced by the WOW study, several organizations collaborated to establish the Minnesota Elder Economic Security Initiative (MinnEESI).

The MinnEESI developed a standard index designed to measure how much income is required for Minnesota seniors to “maintain independence and meet daily expenses.” This tool takes into consideration a number of factors such as food, housing costs, prescription medications, and general medical care as well as other expenses.

- ADVERTISEMENT -

According to the MinnEESI, this index reveals that in Minnesota, “Many seniors who worked their entire lives (who live on incomes comprised of retirement accounts, pensions, and Social Security) are unable to achieve economic security.” As such, far too many seniors are forced to make difficult decisions and often sacrifice some of their most basic needs.

Another insightful report comes from the Greater Twin Cities United Way. Included in their findings is the fact that seniors of color suffer from poverty at much higher rates. In the Twin Cities alone, African American and Native American seniors are five times more likely to be poor than White seniors.

Likewise, Asians and Hispanics are three times as likely to live in poverty as compared to Whites. In addition, women seniors are significantly more likely to live below the poverty line whether they rely on Social Security or not.

While the fact remains that seniors, both nationally and statewide, have lower poverty rates than other age groups, far too many of them struggle mightily to even get by. Taking care of our seniors will become more and more significant in the coming years as the number of Minnesotans 65 and older is likely to double by the middle of the century.

It is imperative that we find a way to honor and care for our growing senior population. Whether it’s through an increase in Social Security and other income supports, or initiatives that support the housing, nutritional, health care and other basic needs of seniors, something must be done to ensure their independence, quality of life, and dignity.

- ADVERTISEMENT -

 

Clarence Hightower is the executive director of Community Action Partnership of Ramsey & Washington Counties. Dr. Hightower holds a Ph.D. in urban higher education from Jackson State University. He welcomes reader responses to 450 Syndicate Street North, St. Paul, MN 55104.

Support Black local news

Help amplify Black voices by donating to the MSR. Your contribution enables critical coverage of issues affecting the community and empowers authentic storytelling.

Donate Now!

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)

Like this:

Like Loading...
ADVERTISEMENT
Previous Post

Winfield Award winners named

Next Post

Transfers from prisons to jails an injustice

Clarence Hightower

Dr. Clarence Hightower is a visionary leader with more than 37 years of nonprofit experience in the Twin Cities. He is the current executive director of the Community Action Partnership of Hennepin County, one of the largest anti-poverty organizations in the area and the state’s largest Energy Assistance program. He welcomes reader responses to chightower@caphennepin.org.

You Might Also Like

McCarthy’s downfall: Rogue Republicans remove House speaker in unprecedented vote
National

McCarthy’s downfall: Rogue Republicans remove House speaker in unprecedented vote

Facing criticism, feds award first maternal health grant to a predominantly Black rural area
National

Facing criticism, feds award first maternal health grant to a predominantly Black rural area

Upcoming Black Business Ball gives Black-owned businesses a night to shine
Local

Upcoming Black Business Ball gives Black-owned businesses a night to shine

Minneapolis police officers head to Alabama for HBCU recruiting trip
Local

Minneapolis police officers head to Alabama for HBCU recruiting trip

Ampersand Families
Employment

Human Resources Manager, ampersand families

Program Coordinator
Employment

Office Coordinator

Next Post
Jail population overlooked in reform efforts

Transfers from prisons to jails an injustice

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
ADVERTISEMENT

Upcoming Events

Sep 12
September 12 @ 6:30 pm-December 18 @ 9:30 pm Recurring

Vic Volare Presents MUSIC FOR MARTINIS ft: Vic’s Fabulous Nightclub Academy

Oct 3
October 3 @ 8:30 am-October 4 @ 5:30 pm

Insects: Little Body, Big Impact | Nobel Conference 59 | Virtual or In-Person

Oct 4
6:00 pm-8:00 pm

An Evening with Liz Cheney

Oct 5
7:00 pm-9:00 pm

The Bombing of Cubana Flight 455: Why it Matters

View Calendar
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Read our latest e-Edition!

PHOTO: Barbie back-to-school party

A Barbie back to school party.
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Subscribe

  • Home/Office Delivery
  • Weekly e-newsletter
  • e-Editions

Support

  • Donate
  • Subscribe
  • MSR Newsstand Locations

Connect

  • About
    • MSR Staff
  • Contact
  • Send a news tip
  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms

© 2023 Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder

No Result
View All Result
  • News & Features
    • Local
    • National
  • All Sections
    • Arts & Culture
    • Health & Wellness
      • Women’s Wellness
      • Parenting Today
      • MN Cancer Alliance Breast Cancer Gaps Project
    • Business
      • Black Business Spotlight
      • Finances FYI
      • Small Business Month Celebration
    • Opinion
    • Sports
  • Events
  • Obits
  • Sister Spokesman
  • Donate
  • Subscribe

© 2023 Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder

 

Loading Comments...
 

    %d bloggers like this: