The problem of poverty among older people in America: options for reform

In: Benefits: A Journal of Poverty and Social Justice, Band 17, Heft 2, S. 125-135

Abstract

While social security has contributed to the dramatic decline in poverty among older Americans over the last 40 years, certain groups of older Americans, particularly those who are unmarried, continue to have high poverty rates. The current social security system, which links non-earnings-related benefits to marriage, fails to protect some of the most vulnerable older Americans. This article presents a range of options, both inside and outside of the social security system, to address this problem. While most policy solutions focus on altering social security, there are solutions outside of the social security system. This article considers both the pitfalls and possibilities of poverty reduction policies both inside and outside of social security.