North Carolina Voters Age 50+ and the 2014 Election Key Findings from a Survey among Likely Voters Age 50/over Conducted June 2014 for

North Carolina Voters Age 50+ and the 2014 Election Key Findings from a Survey among Likely Voters Age 50/over Conducted June 2014 for

Methodology Statewide telephone survey among 803 likely 2014 voters age 50/over (margin of error ±3.5 percentage points), conducted June 10-22, 2014, including: 490 retirees (margin of error ±4.4 percentage points) 313 non-retirees (margin of error ±5.5 percentage points) Respondents were selected at random from a list of registered voters and were reached either on a landline or mobile phone. 2

Overview Likely voters 50+ are worried and concerned about their financial futures. Those who are not yet retired are feeling especially anxious. Voters worry that their incomes are not keeping up with the cost of living, especially health costs and taxes. Many of those not yet retired worry that a secure retirement will be out of reach. Half say they have postponed or will postpone retirement. Voters 50+ are looking to elect candidates who will focus on improving their financial security. 3

Overview 50+ voters are divided evenly in the U.S. Senate race, with a large minority still undecided. Voters say it is hard to get good information about the candidates, and they want candidates to tell them more about their plans for key issues like Social Security, Medicare, independent living, and financial security. Voters want more support for caregiving so that the elderly and people with disabilities can live independently. The majority of 50+ voters say they either are providing, or have provided, unpaid care, representing an important emerging constituency. Social Security and Medicare remain key voting issues for many 50+, and they have strong views about how best to strengthen the financing of these programs. 4

Profile of Likely Voters Age 50/over Retirees Non-retirees Gender Men Women 43% 57% 51% 49% Age Age 50 to 64 Age 65 to 74 Age 75/over 26% 43% 31% 89% 8% 4% Education High school grad/less education Some college College graduate 40% 28% 31% 32% 26% 39% Race Whites African Americans 74% 20% 77% 16% Household Income Household income under $30K Household income $30 to $50K Household income over $50K 29% 22% 31% 18% 17% 54% Party Registration Democrats Independents Republicans 50% 17% 33% 45% 17% 37% Other Receive Social Security benefits Health insurance through Medicare Employed (part time or full time) 84% 73% 14% 13% 16% 80% 5

ECONOMIC SECURITY 6

Voters 50+ are divided evenly on the economy, with wider divides among education and party registration subgroups. How would you rate the condition of the economy here in North Carolina these days? NC economy is good NC economy is bad Retirees Non-retirees 47% 51% 50% 47% 48% 49% Men Women High school grad/less Some college College graduate 50% 47% 43% 49% 52% 48% 50% 54% 48% 46% Very good 4% NC economy is good Very bad 20% NC economy is bad Democrats Independents Republicans RDU media market Greensboro media market Charlotte media market 51% 55% 41% 60% 40% 51% 46% 42% 57% 37% 59% 48% 7

A third of non-retired voters are dissatisfied with their financial situation. Satisfaction with Own Financial Situation Today Strongly satisfied Strongly dissatisfied Somewhat satisfied Somewhat dissatisfied 72% 65% Men Women Dissatisfied (non-retirees) 31% 34% 25% 33% Age 50 to 59 Age 60/over Income under $50K Income over $50K 33% 32% 51% 21% 28% 18% 11% 14% Retirees Non-retirees 8

A large majority say that their income is falling behind the cost of living. Assessment of Income vs. Cost of Living My income is going up faster than cost of living My income is staying about even with cost of living 25% 4% MY INCOME IS FALLING BEHIND THE COST OF LIVING 68% Income Is Falling Behind Retirees Non-retirees High school grad/less Some college College graduates Income under $30K Income $30K to $50K Income over $50K 66% 71% 74% 72% 58% 77% 74% 60% 9

Three in four Social Security beneficiaries say their annual COLA is not keeping up with expenses. Assessment of Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment vs. Cost of Living Social Security Beneficiaries (56% of voters age 50+) Social Security COLA is keeping up with my expenses 14% Not sure 9% MY EXPENSES ARE GOING UP FASTER THAN SOCIAL SECURITY COLA 77% 10

Voters 50+ are more worried than hopeful about achieving their economic and financial goals, especially those not yet retired. Looking ahead to the next five years or so, do you feel more hopeful and confident, or more worried and concerned about being able to achieve your economic and financial goals? More hopeful and confident More worried and concerned 59% 55% 67% More Worried and Concerned Non-retirees 34% 36% 29% Men Women Income under $50K Income over $50K 68% 66% 76% 64% Democrats Independents Republicans 52% 72% 83% Retirees Non-retirees 11

The Economic Anxiety Index Voters are assigned 20 points for each of five economic concerns about which they say they worry very or somewhat often. A minimum score of 0 reflects no economic anxiety, while a maximum score of 100 indicates a great deal of economic anxiety. The five component concerns of the anxiety index are: Having to pay too much in taxes Income not keeping up with the cost of living Having health expenses they cannot afford Not having financial security in retirement Not having enough to pay for home care or a nursing home when they or their spouse get older 12

Components of the Economic Anxiety Index Having to pay too much in taxes Proportions Who Say They Worry Very or Somewhat Often about Each Economic Concern 60% Retirees 56% Nonretirees 67% Income not keeping up with cost of living 55% 51% 61% Having health expenses I cannot afford 49% 46% 54% Not having financial security in retirement 46% 41% 53% Not having enough to pay for home care or nursing home for myself or my spouse 44% 44% 44% 13

Economic Anxiety Index Scores Maximum score 100 90 80 Key Subgroups of Non-retirees 70 Men Women 55 57 ANXIETY INDEX 60 50 40 30 20 48 56 Unmarried Married Non-college grads College graduates Income under $50K Income over $50K Democrats Independents Republicans 55 56 61 50 59 55 54 54 59 10 Caregiver/past caregivers Non-caregivers 60 50 0 Minimum score Retirees Non-retirees 14

While most retirees are satisfied with their retirement savings, almost half of non-retirees are dissatisfied. Satisfaction with Amount of Money Saving/Saved for Retirement Strongly satisfied Strongly dissatisfied Somewhat satisfied Somewhat dissatisfied 57% 39% 60% 35% 51% 45% Men Women Income under $50K Income over $50K Dissatisfied (non-retirees) 46% 44% 67% 31% 19% 20% 23% 17% 12% 25% Retirees Non-retirees 15

Voters age 50+ find it hard to save money for a secure retirement, especially if they have low or moderate income. Is it easy or hard for you to save enough money to provide for a secure retirement? All non-retirees 79% Very Hard to Save Non-retirees Men Women 43% 47% 17% Very hard 45% Non-college College Income under $50K Income over $50K 53% 37% 60% 36% Very easy 5% Easy to save Hard to save 16

A majority of non-retirees say they have or will delay their retirement for financial reasons. Proportions Saying They Have Delayed or Expect to Delay Retirement in Order to Save More Money to Live Comfortably in Retirement 52% 53% 49% 54% 49% 56% 52% All nonretirees Unmarried Married Age 50 to 59 Age 60/over Income under $50K Income over $50K 17

Despite their difficulty in saving money for retirement, a majority feel at least somewhat confident that they will have enough money to live comfortably as they age. How confident are you that you and your spouse will have enough money to live comfortably as you age? Very confident Not at all confident Somewhat confident Not too confident 63% 67% 56% 35% 30% 43% 15% 19% 13% 12% 15% 10% Retirees Non-retirees 18

Confidence in Having Enough Money as they Age, among Key Subgroups How confident are you that you and your spouse will have enough money to live comfortably as you age? Confident Not confident Confident Not confident Men Unmarried women Married women Age 50 to 64 Age 65 to 74 Age 75/over 63% 64% 58% 65% 60% 68% 61% 35% 35% 38% 34% 39% 29% 35% High school grad/less Some college College graduates Income under $30K Income $30K to $50K Income over $50K 54% 63% 72% 43% 63% 75% 43% 35% 27% 53% 35% 24% Whites African Americans 64% 59% 34% 38% 19

Other Financial Concerns of Non-Retirees Proportions Who Say They Worry Very or Somewhat Often about Each Not making enough money at my job* All non-retirees 45% Losing a job or not being able to find enough work* 38% Having to provide financial support to adult child or grandchild Having to provide financial support to parent or older relative Having to depend on children/family members for financial support Not being able to afford college for children 31% 29% 22% 20% * Asked only of voters who are employed 20

One in four 50+ voters has seen age discrimination firstor second-hand; an overwhelming majority support the Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act. I or someone I know has experienced age discrimination in the workplace, such as refusal to hire/promote, reduced compensation, or other limitations 24%* Support for Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act, which would restore workplace protections under the law for older workers 81% Men Women 25% 24% Age 50 to 64 Age 65 to 74 Age 75/over 30% 22% 13% Support strongly High school/less ed Some college College graduates 13% 28% 34% 70% 9% *13% have experienced discrimination personally Support Oppose 21

THE 2014 ELECTION 22

Voters 50+ are disappointed with Washington, giving President Obama low approval scores and Congress extremely low scores. Job Approval of President Obama Job Approval of Congress Approve Disapprove 81% 39% 52% 8% 23

In the Senate election, those with a preference are divided evenly between Hagan and Tillis, but a large minority remain unsure about their vote. Trial Heat for North Carolina Senator Kay Hagan Thom Tillis Men Women 31% 53% 49% 33% 42% 41% Unmarried women Married women Age 50 to 64 Age 65 to 74 Age 75/over 63% 46% 43% 41% 46% 25% 38% 41% 43% 37% Definitely vote for 34% Kay Hagan Definitely vote for 27% Thom Tillis 17% Undecided Whites African Americans Democrats No Party Affiliation Republicans 31% 89% 72% 41% 4% 51% 1% 13% 40% 78% 24

A majority of voters say it is hard to find objective and reliable information about the record and positions of candidates running for office this November. Is it easy or hard to find objective and reliable information about the record and positions of candidates running for office this November? Very easy Very hard Somewhat easy Somewhat hard 51% 55% 40% 29% 16% 26% 6% 34% Undecided voters in Senate race 25

The candidates need to do more to explain their positions on key voting issues for voters 50+. US Senate Candidates Efforts to Explain their Positions on Selected Issues Need to do more Not sure Have done enough Strengthen/reform Social security 78% 9% 13% Strengthen/reform Medicare 77% 8% 15% Helping seniors/disabled live independently 76% 10% 14% Help people save for retirement 67% 16% 17% Improve financial security for my family 65% 15% 20% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% 26

Voters are looking for candidates who will address their economic anxiety. How important is this issue in helping you make your voting decisions this year? Improving my family s financial security 77% Very Important Issue in my Vote Decisions Retirees Non-retirees Men Women 65% 61% 60% 66% Whites African Americans Undecided voters 58% 88% 71% Very important 64% 21% Unmarried women Married women High school/less Some college College grads 70% 64% 81% 59% 52% Very/fairly important Less/not important Income under $30K Income $30K to $50K Income over $50K 77% 65% 56% 27

CAREGIVING 28

Four in five voters 50+ prefer at-home care over other options for themselves/family. If a family member or I need help when basic tasks of life become difficult due to aging or illness, I would prefer to receive that help: Not sure 6% Other* 17% AT HOME WITH CAREGIVER ASSISTANCE 77% *13% assisted living facility; 4% nursing home 29

Many voters 50+ have at some point been a caregiver* to family member or expect to become one in the future. Not likely to be caregiver in future 17% Current caregivers 17% 12% of voters age 50+ report that they or their spouse have received care from a family caregiver. Likely to be caregiver in future 25% Past caregivers 39% * Caregiver is defined as someone who provides unpaid care for an adult loved one who is ill, frail, elderly, or has a physical, mental, or emotional disability. This unpaid care may include assisting with personal needs such as bathing and dressing, household chores, meals, shopping, transportation, or managing finances or medical care. 30

Caregiver Households* Retirees Non-retirees All retirees 60% All non-retirees 59% Men Women 60% 59% Men Women 52% 67% Non-college grads College grads 59% 60% Non-college grads College grads 59% 62% Age 50 to 69 Age 70/over 60% 59% Age 50 to 59 Age 60/over 59% 60% Income under $40K Income over $40K 57% 64% Income under $50K Income over $50K 64% 58% * Those households where unpaid care is currently being provided, or has been provided in the past 31

Voters 50+ want their elected officials to make availability of at-home care a priority. How important a priority for elected officials should it be to make services that help older adults live independently (home healthcare, personal care, day programs) more available in the community? Extremely important priority Not important priority Very important priority Somewhat important priority 74% 77% 24% 23% 37% 39% 6% 6% Caregiver Households 32

Helping people live independently is a powerful potential issue for candidates, especially among women and caregivers. How important is this issue in helping you make your voting decisions this year? 82% Helping older people and the disabled live independently Very Important Issue in my Vote Decisions Men Women 66% 71% Whites African Americans 62% 91% Very important 69% 16% Age 50 to 64 Age 65/over High school/less Some college College grads 66% 72% 84% 69% 55% Undecided voters Current caregivers Voters who have received care 69% 80% 74% Very/fairly important Less/not important Income under $30K Income $30K to $50K Income over $50K 87% 69% 58% 33

MEDICARE AND SOCIAL SECURITY 34

Seven in ten voters 50+ say that Medicare will be a very important issue in deciding their vote. How important is this issue in helping you make your voting decisions this year? Strengthening and reforming Medicare 81% Men Women Very Important Issue in my Vote Decisions 68% 69% Whites African Americans 65% 79% Very important 69% 16% Age 50 to 64 Age 65/over High school/less Some college College grads Income under $30K Income $30K to $50K Income over $50K 67% 70% 82% 69% 57% 77% 72% 65% RDU media Greensboro media Charlotte media Democrats Independents Republicans Undecided voters Receive Medicare 67% 76% 58% 75% 57% 66% 69% 74% Very/fairly important Less/not important 35

Favored policies to strengthen Medicare financing: lower drug costs, coordinating care, reducing unnecessary tests and procedures Support for Candidate Based on Their Support for Proposals to Improve Medicare Financial Stability More likely to vote for candidate Makes no difference/not sure Less likely to vote for Reduce drug costs 70% 22% 8% Crack down on unnecessary tests and procedures 60% 20% 20% Improve care coordination to lower hospital readmissions 59% 28% 13% Reform how Medicare pays doctors, hospitals, etc. 53% 30% 17% Increase some taxes to pay for the program 25% 22% 53% Ask future retirees to pay more for their care 16% 21% 63% Ask current retirees to pay more for their care 8% 19% 73% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% 36

Voters say a permanent solution to a Medicare doc fix should be funded by reducing payments to hospitals and drug companies. The current Medicare payment rate for doctors is set to drop by 25% unless changes are made, and the gap will grow over time. Some congressional committees have proposed a new system to pay doctors, but there is a disagreement about how to pay for the system, which will cost Medicare about $150 billion over 10 years. Which one of the following is the best option to pay for doctors in Medicare? Reduce payments to hospitals, drug companies, other health providers 39% Reduce Medicare payment rate to doctors 10% 16% Require beneficiaries to pay more None of these (volunteered) 16% Not sure 19% 37

Social Security will be a key voting issues for 50+ voters in North Carolina. How important is this issue in helping you make your voting decisions this year? Strengthening and reforming Social Security 82% Very Important Issue in my Vote Decisions Men Women 73% 75% Whites African Americans 71% 90% Very important 75% 15% Age 50 to 64 Age 65/over High school/less Some college College grads Income under $30K Income $30K to $50K Income over $50K 72% 76% 85% 73% 65% 81% 80% 71% RDU media Greensboro media Charlotte media Democrats Independents Republicans Undecided voters Get Social Security 71% 76% 72% 84% 54% 71% 68% 80% Very/fairly important Less/not important 38

There is strong opposition to candidates who would support a reduction in Social Security benefits as part of a budget deficit deal. For which candidate would you be more likely to vote based on their views on Social Security? Prefer candidate who feels that the future of Social Security should be considered separately from any federal budget deficit discussions 76% Prefer candidate who feels that reducing Social Security benefits should be considered as part of an agreement to reduce the federal budget deficit 10% 39

North Carolina Voters Age 50+ and the 2014 Election Key Findings from a Survey among Likely Voters age 50/over Conducted June 2014 for