Times Union, 6/25/26
The article “Older adults in New York are carrying more debt than ever,” June 11, shared the story of Paul Sund, 83, of Beacon, whose experience reflects a growing crisis among older New Yorkers: After a lifetime of work, he is struggling to afford basic necessities like food, housing, transportation and medical care.
New research from the Center for Social and Demographic Research on Aging at UMass Boston outlines just how widespread this hardship has become for seniors, especially in New York.
One viable solution is to expand benefit eligibility to reduce hunger, stabilize housing and allow seniors to age with dignity in the communities they built by raising the income threshold to access programs to 200% of the federal poverty level, or $31,300 per year for an individual or $42,900 per year per couple.
New York is the fourth most expensive state for older adults. Nearly 59% of older women living alone, 49% of older men, and 26% of older couples fall below the Elder Index, the income needed to meet basic living costs.
The consequences are severe: Social Security covers only 61% of the Elder Index in New York, leaving an average annual shortfall of about $14,800. As a result, more than 860,000 older New Yorkers face substantial financial insecurity. Separately, 573,000 report difficulty paying ordinary household expenses, 229,000 are behind on rent or mortgages, more than 800,000 face food insecurity, and about 652,000 report high anxiety due to rising prices.
These are not marginal gaps. They are structural failures.
New York must raise eligibility for senior benefits to 200% of the federal poverty level so older adults are not excluded from assistance simply because they earn slightly too much.
Maria Alvarez
Albany
The writer is the executive director of New York StateWide Senior Action Council.