Challenges Faced by LGBT Older Adults in Retirement
U.S. LGBT elders encounter unique challenges in successful aging, including financial insecurity, social isolation, discrimination, and fears of aging. This article addresses the inequalities and priorities for addressing these issues.
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Retirement Inequality: Priorities and Next Steps for LGBT Older Adults Michael Adams Chief Executive Officer, SAGE www.sageusa.org/ www.lgbtagingcenter.org/
U.S. LGBT Elders Face Unique Challenges to Successful Aging 1. Cumulative effects of life course of discrimination 2. Need to rely upon families of choice for care and support U.S. Society is Aging Rapidly 3. Unequal treatment under laws and programs for older adults
FinancialSecurity LGBT older adults are more likely to encounter financial hardship while aging. Single gay and bisexual men on average earn 10%- 32% less than heterosexual men. Older lesbian couples are 10-20% less likely to have retirement income and are much more likely to receive public assistance. Older lesbian couples are 2X as likely to grow old in poverty.
FinancialSecurity Among Sub-Groups Transgender older adults are more likely to face unemployment and more likely to have lower household income. 40% of transgender older adults fear accessing health services outside of the LGBT community. Black and Latino older adults are 2X as likely to live in poverty as older Americans in general. For LGBT elders of color, layers of discrimination reduce lifelong earnings, retirement savings and Social Security payments.
Social Isolation LGBT older adults are 2X as likely to live alone, 2X as likely to be single, and 3-4 X less likely to have children. 50% of LGBT older adults report feeling isolated from others. 25% of LGBT older adults have nobody to contact in case of an emergency
Differential Fears of Aging Aging Fear Percent of older LGBT people with fear Percent of heterosexual, cisgender people with fear Concerned about having enough money to live on as they age Very or extremely concerned about declining physical health 51% 36% 43% 33% Very or extremely concerned about not having someone to take care of them 30% 16% Very or extremely concerned about being lonely and growing old alone 32% 19% Source: Out & Visible: The Experiences and Attitudes of LGBT Older Adults, Ages 45-74 market research study, SAGE, 2014
Discrimination 48% of older same sex couples face discrimination when applying for senior rental housing. On average transgender older adults reported 11 incidents of lifetime discrimination and victimization. LGB older adults report 6 incidents of lifetime discrimination and victimization. Incidents of discrimination and victimization can lead to internalized stigma, which in turn can lead to negative health outcomes and closeting.
California LGBT Aging Policy Progress California Designates LGBT Older People a Target Population in Aging Programs California Protects LGBT Older People and Those Living with HIV from Discrimination in Long Term Care California Mandates Cultural Competency Training for Aging Providers and Long-Term Care (LTC) Workers California Mandates Cultural Competency Training for Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly (RCFEs) California Mandates LGBT Data Collection California Collects Transgender Health Data
Recommendations Designate Older People Living with HIV as a Greatest Social Needs Population LGBT Greatest Social Need Implementation LGBT Discrimination Testing/Enforcement Inform Policy & Practice with CCOA Report on SOGI Data & Aging
Recommendations Cultural Competency Training for Home and Community Based Services Encourage HIV Testing of Older Adults Advance Policies & Funding to Promote Social Connectedness Provide Empowering Consumer Information e.g. CA 211 Call Center
