Income for elderly falls short, study finds. Massachusetts seniors face the largest gap in the U. S.

The elderly in Massachusetts struggle with the nation’s largest shortfall between income and costs, with the age group’s median income covering only about 60% of basic living expenses. Five of the six New England states were represented in the top ten in a joint study for the Wider Opportunities for Women and University of Massachusetts.

 The study aims to underscore the importance of entitlement programs – Social Security and Medicare – that support the elderly and face potential cuts as Congress grapples with long-term deficits.

Gail Waterhouse, The Boston Globe, March 1, 2012