Florida 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 800 likely 2014 voters age 50/over (margin of error adjusted for weighting ±3.5 percentage points), conducted June 26-July 6, 2014, including: 763 retirees (adjusted MOE ±4.4 percentage points) 439 non-retirees (adjusted MOE ±5.8 percentage points) 400 interview oversample of Latino 50+ voters 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 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 Governor Rick Scott holds a seven-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 support policies that help Floridians age in their homes and communities, such as the proposed Complete Streets law. 4
Profile of Likely Voters Age 50/over Retirees Non-retirees Gender Men Women 46% 54% 41% 59% Age Age 50 to 64 Age 65 to 74 Age 75/over 23% 38% 39% 88% 9% 3% Education High school grad/less education Some college College graduate 44% 26% 28% 31% 29% 39% Race Whites African Americans Latinos 80% 9% 10% 69% 12% 13% Household Income Household income under $30K Household income $30 to $50K Household income over $50K 26% 20% 31% 18% 16% 51% Party Registration Democrats Republicans Other/unaffiliated 39% 46% 15% 38% 44% 18% Other Receive Social Security benefits Health insurance through Medicare Employed (part time or full time) 85% 78% 11% 17% 19% 80% 5
ECONOMIC SECURITY 6
Voters 50+ see the economy as more good than bad overall. How would you rate the condition of the economy here in Florida these days? All voters FL economy is good FL economy is bad 64% Retirees Non-retirees Men Women 64% 64% 69% 60% 32% 35% 29% 36% 33% High school grad/less Some college College graduate 64% 64% 63% 32% 34% 33% Very good 7% FL economy is good Very bad 15% FL economy is bad Democrats Republicans Other/unaffiliated Miami media market Sarasota media market Tampa media market Orlando media market 62% 65% 64% 64% 67% 66% 61% 35% 32% 34% 33% 32% 30% 37% 7
A fourth of non-retired voters are dissatisfied with their financial situation. Satisfaction with Own Financial Situation Today Strongly satisfied Strongly dissatisfied Somewhat satisfied Somewhat dissatisfied 76% 71% Dissatisfied (non-retirees) Men Women 27% 28% 37% 21% 28% Age 50 to 59 Age 60/over Income under $50K Income over $50K 30% 23% 46% 17% 11% 23% 16% 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 7% My income is staying about even with cost of living 30% MY INCOME IS FALLING BEHIND THE COST OF LIVING 59% 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 56% 64% 64% 63% 49% 80% 66% 48% 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 49% 47% 41% 42% 41% 53% Men Women Income under $50K Income over $50K 46% 58% 58% 52% Democrats Republicans Other/unaffiliated 43% 58% 61% All voters Retirees Non-retirees 10
The Economic Anxiety Index Voters are assigned 20 points for each of the 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 Proportions Who Say They Worry Very or Somewhat Often about Each Economic Concern Retirees Nonretirees Having to pay too much in taxes 51% 44% 65% Income not keeping up with cost of living 48% 45% 56% Not having financial security in retirement 45% 38% 58% Not having enough to pay for home care or nursing home for myself or my spouse 42% 37% 49% Having health expenses I cannot afford 41% 33% 54% 12
Economic Anxiety Index Scores Maximum score 100 90 80 Mean scores Key Subgroups of Non-retirees Mean scores ANXIETY INDEX 70 60 50 40 30 40 57 Men Women Unmarried Married Non-college grads College graduates Income under $50K Income over $50K 55 58 57 56 63 46 68 49 20 10 0 Minimum score Retirees Non-retirees Democrats Republicans Other/unaffiliated Caregivers/past caregivers Non-caregivers 54 57 61 60 53 13
While most retirees are satisfied with their retirement savings, two in five non-retirees are dissatisfied. Satisfaction with Amount of Money Saving/Saved for Retirement Strongly satisfied Strongly dissatisfied Somewhat satisfied Somewhat dissatisfied 61% 34% 64% 30% 56% 41% Men Women Income under $50K Income over $50K Dissatisfied (non-retirees) 36% 44% 59% 30% 25% 30% 20% 18% 17% 24% 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 55% 56% 54% 57% 50% 63% 52% All nonretirees Unmarried Married Age 50 to 59 Age 60/over Income under $50K Income over $50K 15
Other Financial Concerns of Non-Retirees Proportions Who Say They Worry Very or Somewhat Often about Each Not making enough money at my job* 46% Having to provide financial support to an adult child/ grandchild Losing a job or not being able to find work* Having to provide financial support to a parent or other older relative Not being able to afford college education costs for children Having to depend on children or other family members for financial support 35% 33% 29% 24% 23% * 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 53% 36% Disapprove Approve 18
In the gubernatorial election, Rick Scott holds the lead with voters 50+, but a large minority remain unsure about their vote. Trial Heat for Florida Governor All voters Charlie Crist Rick Scott Men Women 36% 42% 54% 42% 40% 47% Unmarried women Married women Age 50 to 64 Age 65 to 74 Age 75/over 44% 42% 38% 41% 39% 39% 44% 46% 50% 48% Definitely vote for 26% Charlie Crist Definitely vote for 32% Rick Scott 13% Undecided Whites African Americans Latinos Democrats Republicans Other 34% 71% 42% 71% 14% 35% 54% 7% 42% 16% 73% 50% 19
Two in five 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 47% 42% 39% 42% 23% 22% 18% 19% All voters Undecided in Gubernatorial Race 20
The candidates need to do more to explain their positions on key voting issues for voters 50+. FL Governor Candidates Efforts to Explain their Positions on Selected Issues Need to do more Not sure Have done enough Helping older people and the disabled live independently 73% 12% 15% Jobs and the economy 71% 7% 22% Affordable utilities 71% 14% 15% Supporting family caregivers 68% 16% 16% Helping people save for retirement 64% 16% 20% 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% All voters Very Important Issue in my Vote Decisions Retirees Non-retirees Men Women 79% 87% 79% 84% Whites African Americans Latinos Undecided voters 80% 95% 85% 81% Very important 82% Very/fairly important 7% Less/not important Unmarried women Married women High school/less Some college College grads Income under $30K Income $30K to $50K Income over $50K 93% 78% 85% 84% 76% 89% 87% 78% 22
The majority of 50+ voters support a proposal to expand Medicaid in the state. There is a proposal in the state legislature to expand Medicaid coverage in Florida to individuals who don't have health insurance and who earn up to $16,000 a year. Do you support or oppose this proposal to expand Medicaid health coverage? Support Oppose 57% Men Unmarried women Married women Age 50 to 64 Age 65 to 74 Age 75/over 54% 61% 59% 62% 54% 53% 29% 22% 23% 24% 27% 26% 26% 17% Whites African Americans Latinos 53% 84% 69% 28% 6% 18% Support strongly 44% Support Oppose strongly 21% Oppose Not Sure Democrats Independents Republicans 74% 55% 44% 13% 22% 37% 23
CAREGIVING 24
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% AT HOME WITH CAREGIVER ASSISTANCE 73% Other* 19% *15% assisted living facility, 4% nursing home 25
Many voters 50+ have at some point been a caregiver* to a family member, or expect to be in the future. All voters Not likely to be caregiver in future 21% Current caregivers 20% 14% of voters age 50+ report that they or their spouse have received care from a family caregiver. Likely to be caregiver in future 22% Past caregivers 34% * 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 54% Men Women 50% 67% Men Women 40% 63% Unmarried Married 68% 54% Unmarried Married 48% 56% Age 50 to 69 Age 70/over 63% 56% Age 50 to 59 Age 60/over 50% 61% Income under $40K Income over $40K 67% 60% Income under $50K Income over $50K 60% 50% White Hispanic African American 60% 53% 59% White Hispanic African American 49% 57% 68% * 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 should it be for the next Governor to support services and programs that enable Florida s older population to continue living in their homes as they get older? Extremely important priority Not important priority Very important priority Somewhat important priority 87% 70% 73% 39% 27% 45% 25% 55% 10% 7% 6% 4% All voters Caregiver household Latino Voters 28
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? Helping older people and the disabled live independently All voters 75% Very Important Issue in my Vote Decisions Men Women Age 50 to 64 Age 65/over 54% 64% 59% 61% Whites African Americans Latinos Undecided voters 57% 68% 80% 59% Very important 60% 21% High school/less Some college College grads Income under $30K Income $30K to $50K Income over $50K 68% 66% 47% 69% 73% 48% Current caregivers Caregiver HH 66% 62% Very/fairly important Less/not important 29
Voters 50+ support policies that help Floridians age in their homes and communities. Support for a Complete Streets law that would prioritize providing safe and convenient transportation options for everyone in the state, particularly those age fifty and over: Support for a policy that would set new standards for the design, construction, and modification of new and existing housing to make these buildings more accessible for older Floridians and help them stay in their homes for as long as possible: 64% 71% Strong Support 44% 19% Strong Support 56% 21% Support Oppose Support Oppose 30
Florida Voters Age 50+ And the 2014 Election Key Findings from a Survey among Likely Voters age 50/over Conducted June 2014 for