Poverty Rate Among Adults Age 65+ Reaches 15.4%

The poverty rate among adults age 65 and older increased 21% from 12.7% in 2019 to 15.4% in 2025. The increase represents approximately 3 million more older adults living in poverty, bringing the total to about 10 million. Under the traditional federal poverty measure, 6.4 million older adults were living in poverty in 2025.

The poverty rate among older adults was the highest of any age group under the Supplemental Poverty Measure (SPM) in 2025. Financial hardship was also increasing among adults approaching traditional retirement age. About one in eight adults ages 50 to 64 was living . . .