Illinois 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 802 likely 2014 voters age 50/over (margin of error ±3.5 percentage points), conducted July 3-10, 2014, including: 432 retirees (margin of error ±4.7 percentage points) 370 non-retirees (margin of error ±5.1 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 Challenger Bruce Rauner holds a nine-point lead in the gubernatorial race, with an additional 13% of 50+ voters 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 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. The majority of voters also believe it is important for the next governor to preserve access to affordable landline telephone service. 4
Profile of Likely Voters Age 50/over Retirees Non-retirees Gender Men Women 46% 54% 47% 53% Age Age 50 to 64 Age 65 to 74 Age 75/over 25% 42% 32% 88% 9% 2% Education High school grad/less education Some college College graduate 40% 30% 30% 23% 32% 45% Race Whites African Americans 81% 12% 81% 12% Household Income Household income under $30K Household income $30 to $50K Household income over $50K 27% 22% 33% 15% 11% 57% Party Identification Democrats Independents Republicans 46% 21% 34% 38% 21% 41% Other Receive Social Security benefits Health insurance through Medicare Employed (part time or full time) 78% 73% 14% 17% 16% 82% 5
ECONOMIC SECURITY 6
Voters 50+ see the economy as more bad than good overall, especially non-retirees and those living outside of Chicago. How would you rate the condition of the economy here in Illinois these days? All voters IL economy is good IL economy is bad 76% Retirees Non-retirees 26% 18% 72% 81% Men Women 21% 24% 78% 74% High school grad/less Some college College graduate 23% 20% 23% 74% 77% 76% Very good 1% 22% IL economy is good Very bad 46% IL economy is bad Democrats Independents Republicans Chicago media market Cook County media market Out-state media market 37% 20% 7% 46% 20% 15% 60% 78% 92% 53% 79% 83% 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 78% 64% Men Women Dissatisfied (non-retirees) 33% 36% 35% Age 50 to 59 Age 60/over 34% 35% 20% Income under $75K Income over $75K 52% 20% 30% 10% 21% 15% 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 All voters My income is going up faster than cost of living My income is staying about even with cost of living 28% 5% MY INCOME IS FALLING BEHIND THE COST OF LIVING 65% 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 65% 65% 73% 70% 54% 80% 76% 52% 9
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 More Worried and Concerned Non-retirees 58% 55% 62% Men Women 62% 61% 35% 35% 34% Income under $75K Income over $75K Democrats Independents Republicans 66% 60% 49% 62% 73% All voters Retirees Non-retirees 10
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 11
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 Retirees 64% 59% Nonretirees 70% Income not keeping up with cost of living 56% 51% 60% Not having financial security in retirement 50% 44% 57% Not having enough to pay for home care or nursing home for myself or my spouse 47% 45% 49% Having health expenses I cannot afford 46% 44% 49% 12
Economic Anxiety Index Scores Maximum score 100 90 Mean scores 80 Key Subgroups of Non-retirees ANXIETY INDEX 70 60 50 40 30 20 49 57 Men Women Unmarried Married Non-college grads College graduates Income under $75K Income over $75K Democrats Independents Republicans 55 59 59 57 61 53 63 51 52 58 62 10 Caregiver/past caregiver Non-caregivers 63 49 0 Minimum score Retirees Non-retirees 13
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 60% 36% 64% 31% 55% 42% Men Women Income under $75K Income over $75K Dissatisfied (non-retirees) 39% 45% 61% 27% 22% 22% 25% 18% 17% 27% All voters Retirees Non-retirees 14
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 61% 59% 64% 62% 60% 63% 59% All nonretirees Married Unmarried Age 50 to 59 Age 60/over Income under $75K Income over $75K 15
Other Financial Concerns of Non-Retirees Proportions Who Say They Worry Very or Somewhat Often about Each Having to pay too much in taxes All non-retirees 70% My income not keeping up with the cost of living Not having financial security in retirement 57% 60% Not making enough money at my job Not having enough to pay for home care or nursing home for myself or my spouse Having health expenses I cannot afford 49% 49% 49% * Asked only of voters who are employed 16
THE 2014 ELECTION 17
Voters 50+ are disappointed with Washington, giving President Obama low approval scores. Job Approval of President Obama All voters 42% 50% Disapprove Approve 18
In the gubernatorial election, Bruce Rauner holds the lead with voters 50+, but a large minority remain unsure about their vote. Trial Heat for Illinois Governor All voters 48% Men Women Pat Quinn 35% 42% Bruce Rauner 54% 42% 39% Unmarried women Married women 55% 35% 30% 49% Definitely vote for 21% Pat Quinn Definitely vote for 30% Bruce Rauner 13% Undecided Age 50 to 64 Age 65 to 74 Age 75/over Whites African Americans Democrats Independents Republicans 39% 37% 45% 33% 74% 77% 27% 3% 49% 50% 42% 55% 13% 12% 50% 87% 19
Nearly half 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 46% 46% 56% 34% 19% 22% 12% 28% All voters Undecided in Gubernatorial Race 20
The candidates need to do more to explain their positions on key voting issues for voters 50+. Gubernatorial Candidates Efforts to Explain their Positions on Selected Issues Need to do more Not sure Have done enough Jobs and the economy 86% 6% 8% Helping older people and the disabled live independently 81% 9% 10% Affordable utilities 80% 9% 11% Supporting family caregivers 79% 10% 11% Helping people save for retirement 72% 14% 14% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% 21
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? Jobs and the economy 91% Very Important Issue in my Vote Decisions Retirees Non-retirees 82% 87% Whites African Americans 84% 88% Very important 85% Men Women Unmarried women Married women High school/less Some college College grads 81% 88% 84% 90% 86% 86% 82% Income under $30K Income $30K to $50K Income over $50K Undecided voters 86% 87% 85% 78% 8% Very/fairly important Less/not important 22
The majority of 50+ voters use landline phone service nearly always or most of the time, and two in three believe the next governor should preserve this access. How important is it that the next governor preserve access to reliable, affordable landline service in Illinois? All voters Proportions who use landline nearly always or most of the time 64% All voters Men Women 48% 42% 54% Very important 50% 33% Age 50 to 64 Age 65 to 74 Age 75/over Income under $30K Income $30K to $50K Income over $50K 38% 53% 71% 59% 57% 36% Very/fairly important Less/not important 23
CAREGIVING 24
Nearly three in four 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 8% Other* 20% AT HOME WITH CAREGIVER ASSISTANCE 72% *18% assisted living facility, 2% nursing home 25
Many voters 50+ have at some point been a caregiver* to family member or expect to do so in the future. All voters Not likely to be caregiver in future 25% Current caregivers 19% 13% of voters age 50+ report that they or their spouse have received care from a family caregiver. Likely to be caregiver in future 18% Past caregivers 36% * 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. 26
Caregiver Households* Retirees Non-retirees All retirees 59% All non-retirees 61% Men Women 51% 66% Men Women 53% 67% Unmarried Married 56% 60% Unmarried Married 68% 58% Age 50 to 69 Age 70/over 62% 56% Age 50 to 59 Age 60/over 59% 65% Income under $40K Income over $40K 64% 56% Non-college grads College grads 61% 59% Income under $75K Income over $75K 66% 60% * Those households where unpaid care is currently being provided, or has been provided in the past 27
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 69% 76% 37% 30% 43% 23% 8% 5% All voters Caregiver Households 28
Helping people live independently is a powerful potential issue for candidates, especially among women and lower-income voters. How important is this issue in helping you make your voting decisions this year? Helping older people and the disabled live independently 79% Very Important Issue in my Vote Decisions Men Women 55% 73% Whites African Americans 60% 86% Very important 65% 21% Age 50 to 64 Age 65/over High school/less Some college College grads Income under $30K Income $30K to $50K Income over $50K 61% 70% 76% 70% 52% 77% 63% 60% Undecided voters Caregiver HH 69% 68% Very/fairly important Less/not important 29
There is near universal support to shift additional federal funding from nursing home to home-based care. Do you support or oppose the federal government giving states like Illinois more flexibility with this funding so that seniors can receive services in their homes if that is their preference?* 80% All voters Strongly support shifting funding Men Women Age 50 to 64 Age 65 to 74 Age 75/over 69% 81% 78% 73% 70% Support strongly 70% Support 8% Oppose * Information before question: Currently, states receive federal funds to help low income seniors and people with disabilities when the basic tasks of life become difficult due to aging or illness. At present, states are required to spend the majority of these funds on nursing home care. Illinois has asked the federal government for the flexibility to shift existing funding from nursing homes to care provided at a person s home. 30
Illinois Voters Age 50+ and the 2014 Election Key Findings from a Survey among Likely Voters age 50/over Conducted June 2014 for