The AARP Foundation recently released the Economic Security Monitor, which tracks the financial lives of adults age 50 and older with low income. Every quarter, AARP surveys more than 2,000 people from households living at or below 250% of the U.S. federal poverty level, interviewing them on matters ranging from living expenses to employment stability and access to public benefits.
Spring 2026 Main Findings
Rising prices are being felt more acutely. The share of respondents reporting that household expenses had increased rose from 64% in Winter 2025-2026 to 75% in Spring 2026. The change comes on top of heightened concern over the rising cost of living. 88% of respondents cited rising prices as a financial concern—higher than concerns about retirement savings or medical costs.
One-third (33%) of respondents reported that they ran out of food before they had money to buy more. The burden fell hardest on adults ages 50-64, 45% of whom said they ran out of food, compared with 25% among those 65 and older.
While financial hardship is widespread among older adults with low income, adults ages 50-64 are in an especially precarious situation. Two-thirds (66%) of respondents in this age group said they were struggling financially, compared with 47% of adults 65 and older. The availability of public benefits such as Social Security and Medicare for those in their 60s may help to explain the gap.
More information is available in the latest AARP Economic Security Monitor Report here.