October 02, 2025
Report: Poverty is Rising, But Only for Seniors
The percentage of older Americans living in poverty increased from 14.2 to 15 percent between this year and last year, according to a new report from the U.S. Census Bureau.
The uptick is specific to seniors, as every other age group analyzed either had poverty rates that decreased or remained steady. Previous data shows that senior poverty has risen every single year since 2020.
Experts say this percentage will continue to increase as seniors are hit with elevated inflation and rising health care costs. The problem will also be compounded by the Administration’s looming cuts to food assistance, Medicaid, and other benefits that usually provide relief.
Research demonstrates that increasing Social Security benefits would help, as it is a critical lifeline for reducing the senior poverty rate, lifting more than 16 million Americans 65 years and older out of poverty in 2023 alone.
