Latinos & Economic Security Policy Brief

This series presents concise summaries of in-depth research on the economic security of the growing number of Latino retirees. Two of the briefs are available in Spanish translation.

Policy briefs are drawn from the Latinos & Economic Security Research Report series.

Latinos and Economic Security (formerly Latinos and Social Security) is an ongoing project to study the impact of social security on the Latino population. It is a collaborative research project of the UCLA Center for Policy Research on Aging, the USC Ethel Percy Andrus Gerontology Center, and the UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center, in partnership with the National Hispanic Council on Aging and the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO). Major support is provided by the Ford Foundation.

2010

Latino Baby Boomers: A Demographic and Economic Profile

Latinos & Economic Security Policy Brief No. 5

May 2010

Zachary D. Gassoumis, Kathleen H. Wilber, Lindsey A. Baker, and Fernando Torres-Gil

This brief takes a look at the characteristics of aging Latinos, who by 2050 will make up 18 percent of older Americans. It reveals stark differences in education, living arrangements, and income not only between Latino and non-Latino baby boomers but also within the Latino baby boom generation. The authors conclude that as Latino baby boomers enter old age and retirement, their economic situation and health status may become real issues for policymakers.

Download Brief in PDF

Advocacy for Latino Baby Boomers: Protecting an At-Risk Population

Latinos & Economic Security Policy Brief No. 4

January 2010

Carlos M. Haro, with Javier Iribarren, Karina McCormack, and Yvette Flores

Latino baby boomers are a population at risk, with a high percentage facing an inability to pay for basic needs after they retire. Although Latinos rely on advocacy groups for leadership in many areas, including education, affirmative action, and immigration, this study shows that many of these organizations do not adequately address the needs of the growing population of aging Latinos.

Download Brief in PDF

2008

Latino Baby Boomers: A Hidden Population

Latinos & Social Security Policy Brief No. 3

July 2008

Zachary D. Gassoumis, and Kathleen H. Wilber, and Fernando Torres-Gill

Latinos comprise 10 percent of the baby boom generation as well as a steadily increasing proportion of the U.S. population, making Latino baby boomers an important bellwether of demographic and economic change. Despite their importance, little research has explored the impact that Latino boomers are likely to have on families and communities and the policies that affect them. This policy brief summarizes what is known and not known about this hidden population.

Download Brief in PDF

2007

Social Security Reform: Implications for Latino Retirees

Latinos & Social Security Policy Brief No. 2

June 2007

Patricia A. Halliwell, Zachary D. Gassoumis, and Kathleen H. Wilber

The impending retirement of the baby boom generation has increased debate on the long-term viability of Social Security and prompted a number of suggestions for reform. This brief describes and analyzes these proposals and examines the impact that they will have on Latino retirees as a whole.

Download Brief in PDF

Spanish Translation

Reforma del Seguro Social:

Implicaciones para los jubilados latinos

Latinos & Social Security Policy Brief No. 2

June 2007

Download Brief in PDF

2006

Latinos and the Future of Social Security: A Time to Act

Latinos & Social Security Policy Brief No. 1

March 2006

Fernando Torres-Gil

Recent debates about the Social Security system have failed to take into account the impact of the current system on Latinos and how proposed changes could affect them. Yet Latinos share four characteristics that result in a higher rate of return on their Social Security contributions than that received by the U.S. population as a whole. This report offers policymakers a more complete picture of Social Security and its role within U.S. society.

Download Brief in PDF

Spanish Translation

Latinos y el futuro del Seguro Social: Momento para actuar

Latinos & Social Security Policy Brief No. 1

March 2006

Download Brief in PDF