Information Center

Older adults also receive income from other sources, such as earnings from work, assets, and public assistance.

Income from Assets

Older adults also receive income from savings accounts, certificates of deposit, stocks and bonds, retirement accounts (such as 401(k)s and IRAs), and other investments. Income from assets takes the form of interest, dividends, rents and royalties. In 2021, the median income from financial assets, for the 69% of persons age 65 and older who had these assets, was $1,814 a year [Also: See Sources of Income].

Income from Earnings

In 2021, 23% of persons age 65 and older had earnings from work [See Sources of Income]. The median earnings for persons age 65 and older with earnings was $39,952 per year.

Income from Public Assistance

Public assistance for older adults consists mainly of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and state general assistance programs. SSI is a Federal program that provides income assistance to aged, blind or disabled people who have little or no income. Information about SSI eligibility rules can be found here. Only 2.7% of people 65 and over received public assistance benefits in 2021 [See Sources of Income].

For More Statistics on the Income of Older Adults:

• Income of Older Adults from All Sources
• Income of Different Groups
• Sources of Income for Older Adults
• Income from Social Security
• Income from Pensions

Sources

Table 12. Income from Financial Assets for Persons and Aged Units Age 65 and Older

• 2022 Current Population Survey, PINC-08

Table 13. Median Income of Persons Age 65 and Older with Income from Earnings, by Age

• 2022 Current Population Survey, PINC-08

 Table 14. Median Benefit for Persons Age 65 and Older with Income from Public Assistance, by Age

• 2022 Current Population Survey, PINC-08