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Understanding Participation in SSI

Author

Listed:
  • Kathleen McGarry

    (University of California, Los Angeles and NBER)

  • Robert F. Schoeni

    (University of Michigan)

Abstract

The Supplemental Security Income program (SSI) provides a guaranteed income for the elderly. As such it can serve to mitigate any deleterious effects of reductions in Social Security benefits that might result from any Social Security reform. However, participation in SSI among qualified individuals has proven to be low. We show that this low participation rate, just over 50%, observed at the program’s inception has continued to today with little if any change. We also find that transfers from children are far larger among eligible non-participants suggesting that family assistance may offset the need for public assistance.

Suggested Citation

  • Kathleen McGarry & Robert F. Schoeni, 2015. "Understanding Participation in SSI," Working Papers wp319, University of Michigan, Michigan Retirement Research Center.
    • Handle: RePEc:mrr:papers:wp319
    as

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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Kathleen M. McGarry, 2002. "Guaranteed Income. SSI and the Well-Being of the Elderly Poor," NBER Chapters, in: The Distributional Aspects of Social Security and Social Security Reform, pages 49-84, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    2. Kathleen McGarry, 1996. "Factors Determining Participation of the Elderly in Supplemental Security Income," Journal of Human Resources, University of Wisconsin Press, vol. 31(2), pages 331-358.
    3. Alicia H. Munnell & Matthew S. Rutledge & Anthony Webb, 2014. "Are Retirees Falling Short? Reconciling the Conflicting Evidence," Working Papers, Center for Retirement Research at Boston College wp2014-16, Center for Retirement Research.
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