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Policy Priorities

Policy Priorities: Closing the Gap Between Elders Income and Expenses

The California Elder Economic Security Initiative is a statewide, research-driven initiative at the forefront of a national effort to ensure that older Californians can live with dignity and economic well-being in their own homes. The Elder Economic Security Standard Index (Elder Index) demonstrates that many elders across California are struggling to make ends meet. What can be done to help close the gap?

Our 2009 state policy priorities include sponsoring the following bill and resolution this legislative season, in partnership with the Women’s Foundation of California:

1. AB 324 (Beall, Liu): The Elder Economic Dignity Act of 2009. On October 12th, the Governor vetoed  AB 324, and chose to deny  California's elders their economic dignity. AB 324 would have required the State to institutionalize a realistic measure of what it costs seniors to make ends meet in today's economy and therefore better address their needs. Instead, the State will continue to use the outdated one-size-fits-all Federal Poverty Guidelines in setting policies for our seniors. The Governor missed an opportunity to do right by our seniors.
2. AJR 6 (Beall): urges Congress and the President to modernize the Federal Poverty
   Guidelines to reflect the actual costs to survive in each state and county of the United States.

Click here to see a list of the bill's authors, sponsors, and supporters.
Click here to be contacted to voice your organization’s support of these two policy initiatives.

Other top policy priorities over the coming years include:

1. Increase the supply of affordable and supportive housing for elders (e.g. by increasing tax credits to build affordable senior housing, and by expanding Section 202 senior housing)
2. Allow older Californians who receive Supplemental Security Income and live alone to receive the maximum allowable food stamps benefit
3. Expand older adult retraining and employment opportunities (e.g. by partnering with the private sector to create more flexible work environments and to retain older adults, and by expanding job training opportunities through the Workforce Investment Act).
4. Promote savings and asset accumulation for younger workers.

Policy Papers
“Elders Living on the Edge: The Impact of California Support Programs When Income Falls Short in Retirement” offers an overview of housing, nutrition, health care, and income policies that can help California's elders achieve basic economic security. It was written by Wider Opportunities for Women in collaboration with the Insight Center.

“Federal Poverty Guideline Underestimates Costs of Living for Older Persons in California” research brief provides a summary of the Elder Economic Security Standard Index across California, and shows that the FPL covers less than half the basic costs experienced by adults age 65 an older in the state. It was developed by UCLA Center for Health Policy Research in collaboration with the Insight Center.

“Half A Million Older Californians Living Alone Unable to Make Ends Meet” documents, for the first time, the number and demographic characteristics of elders trying to survive on incomes below the Elder Economic Security Standard Index. Written by UCLA Center for Health Policy Research and the Insight Center for Community Economic Development, the brief also addresses the policy implications of this growing crisis.

Policy Presentations
Presented at a California state legislative hearing to unveil the California Elder Economic Security Initiative, “The Myth of the Golden Years: Introducing an Alternative to the Flawed Federal Poverty Line” explains how the Federal Poverty Line was developed, introduces the Index and offers our state and national policy agenda. Click here to download the text of the Cal-EESI Director, Susan E. Smith, press statement to release the Elder Index and launch the Initiative.

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