Status of the Elderly, 1972

This study contains merged data from the March 1972 Current Population Survey of the United States Census Bureau and the Social Security Administration's benefit record system. The primary objective of the survey was to provide the Social Security Administration with information on the population aged 60 and older in terms of work rates, amount and sources of total money income, and beneficiaries. Information provided by the survey focuses on three areas: (1) the effects of retirement benefit amount on decisions to work, (2) the effectiveness of old age, survivors', disability, and health insurance programs in meeting the needs of those who have retired, either partly or fully, because of ill health, poor skills, mandatory retirement, or the desire for leisure time, and (3) future trends in work and retirement patterns. Demographic variables specify age, sex, race, date of birth, ethnicity, occupation, and income.