FL 50 plus Women Voters Influenced by Economic Anxiety, Social Security and Caregiving

AARP Florida News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Oct. 20, 2016

Media Contact: Victoria Funes, (305) 775-6944, vfunes@aarp.org

New AARP poll:  FL 50 plus Women Voters Influenced by Economic Anxiety, Concerns about Social Security and Caregiving Challenges

St. Petersburg, Fla. —Six in 10 Florida women voters are concerned about rising costs outpacing their income, and 45 percent worry that they won’t be able to take care of themselves as they grow older, an AARP poll of women voters shows.

“Women voters age 50-plus have many different concerns, but one theme that holds true across many older women voters is their future financial security.  They have looked ahead at their finances in later life, and they’re worried about what they see,” said Jeff Johnson, AARP’s Florida state director.  “Candidates seeking their support should spell out in detail their plans to update Social Security – a key support for lifelong security and especially important for older women – and to support family caregivers.”

Economic Security Issues

AARP pollsters questioned women voters age 50-plus in Florida on their plans for later life, and found high levels of concern  among them.  Given a list of 13 possible concerns to choose from, survey respondents said they were most worried about prices rising faster than their income, having to pay too much in taxes and the cost of prescription drugs.

Some 68 percent of women voters 50-plus with incomes under $50,000 a year said they worry about prices rising faster than their incomes.  This concern is shared by 60 percent of women with incomes over $50,000.

Social Security

A majority of Florida women voters 50-plus believe cuts in Social Security benefits would have an impact on their lives while 42 percent are not confident that Social Security will be there for them and for future generations.

Caregiving:  The New Normal

On other issues, some 56 percent of women voters age 50-plus said they are or have been caregivers for an older parent, spouse or other loved one.  Paying for care in later life was another concern outlined in the survey, Johnson said.  Some 37 percent said they were not confident of being able to cover the cost of caring for an aging parent, spouse or other family member.  Two-thirds ( 67 percent ) of women voters age 50-plus are more likely to vote for a candidate who supports family caregivers.

“50-plus women could decide the election,” added Johnson. “Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump would be wise to start talking about the issues important to them and their families.

The survey was conducted Aug. 1-7 by Lake Research Partners and American Viewpoint for AARP.  The 717 Florida survey respondents included registered likely voters age 50 and older reached by both cell phone and landline.  The survey is believed to be accurate within plus or minus 3.8 percent at a 95 percent confidence level.

AARP

AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization that helps people 50+ have independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial and affordable to them and society as a whole. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to either political campaigns or candidates. We produce AARP The Magazine, published bimonthly; the AARP Bulletin, our monthly newspaper; NRTA Live & Learn, our quarterly newsletter for 50 + educators; and our website, www.aarp.org . AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. We have staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.