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About the Report

Social Security is our nation’s bedrock social insurance program. It protects American workers, their families and their children against the risks of poverty as a result of old age, death of a spouse or parent, or a life-changing disability. At a time of escalating inequality and declining retirement savings, the National Committee Foundation examines Social Security’s crucial and often neglected role in the economic life of communities in every state.

Research conducted by:
Peter S. Arno, PhD
Senior Fellow and Director, Health Policy Research, Political Economy Research Institute, University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Board member, National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare Foundation

Andrew R. Maroko, PhD
Assistant Professor, City University of New York Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy

NOTE:
This report uses 2014 data, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Due to rounding some totals may not correspond to the sum of the separate figures.

SOCIAL SECURITY REGIONAL SUPPORT INDEX (RSI)

Click on a state in map to see RSI for counties or congressional districts in that state

The Regional Support Index (RSI) illustrates the level of support that Social Security provides to all residents of a given state or county. The index is composed of three variables: (1) percent of the state or county’s entire population that receives Social Security benefits; (2) percent of personal income in the state or county derived from Social Security; and (3) per capita Social Security income at the state or county level (total amount of Social Security benefits divided by total number of residents. Higher RSI values indicate more Social Security support for the population.

For more on RSI methodology, see About The Report.

Social Security support is increasing

The national and state maps illustrate a snapshot using 2013 figures.  But examination of the tables makes it quite clear that between 2008 and 2013 Social Security increased its level of support in the vast majority of regions across the country. The precise reasons for changes in the level of support are not entirely known but it is likely based on a number of factors including, aging of the population, the economic recession during these years, and other social and demographic trends.

When examining a change in RSI between 2008 and 2013, a larger number indicates increasing Social Security support over the five-year period, whereas a smaller number indicates decreasing support; this data cannot be interpreted as a percentage change.

At the state level, only North Dakota decreased its RSI score over this time period. At the county level, only 197 out of 3,108 counties (6.3%) with reliable data for both years decreased their support over the same time period.

Download the full table

A project of:

About the Report

Social Security is our nation’s bedrock social insurance program. It protects American workers, their families and their children against the risks of poverty as a result of old age, death of a spouse or parent, or a life-changing disability. At a time of escalating inequality and declining retirement savings, the National Committee Foundation examines Social Security’s crucial and often neglected role in the economic life of communities in every state.

Research conducted by:
Peter S. Arno, PhD
Senior Fellow and Director, Health Policy Research, Political Economy Research Institute, University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Board member, National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare Foundation

Andrew R. Maroko, PhD
Assistant Professor, City University of New York Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy

NOTE:
This report uses 2014 data, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Due to rounding some totals may not correspond to the sum of the separate figures.

Social Security Spotlight