Social Security Keeps Many Arkansans 65+ Out of Poverty

Arkansas has the fifth-highest poverty rate in the nation—but if it weren’t for Social Security, the situation would be worse. Arkansas is one of the top four states with the greatest share of older Americans lifted out of poverty because of Social Security income, according to a new study from the AARP Public Policy Institute. The earned benefit keeps 43 percent of state residents age 65 and older out of poverty.

“Hard-working Arkansans paid into Social Security throughout their working lives with the promise that the benefit they earned would be there when they needed it,” said Maria Reynolds-Diaz, AARP state director. “AARP Arkansas is committed to making sure that promise is kept.”

For more information, go to  aarp.org/2014socialsecurityquickfacts and click on “Arkansas.”