Low‑income U.S. seniors die nine years earlier
A new analysis from the National Council on Aging and the University of Massachusetts Boston’s LeadingAge LTSS Center using University of Michigan Health and Retirement Study data (2018–2022) finds that Americans aged 60+ in the lowest income bracket die, on average, nine years sooner than their wealthier counterparts. The study reports roughly 15% mortality over four years for households with about $60,000 annual income versus about 11% for households near $120,000, and warns that rising senior poverty and lack of assets leave many unable to afford medication, preventative care or long‑term care.
Health
Economy
📌 Key Facts
- Low‑income seniors (age 60+) die an average of nine years earlier than high‑income seniors, per the NCOA/UMass analysis
- About 15% of seniors in ~ $60,000 household‑income group died during the 2018–2022 four‑year study period, versus about 11% in ~ $120,000 households
- Study based on the University of Michigan’s Health and Retirement Study, a longitudinal panel tracking about 10,000 households from 2018–2022