to be widowed, white males the least. In addition, black persons are much more likely to be either single, separated, or divorced than are white persons.

Relatively small numbers of elderly live in intergenerational households with children or with other relatives, although this percentage does increase with advancing age, particularly for older

women.

B.EDUCATION

THE EDUCATION GAP BETWEEN OLDER AND YOUNGER PERSONS IS CLOSING

Although educational attainment of the elderly population is well below that of the younger population, the gap in median school years completed has narrowed somewhat over the last 30 years and is expected to decrease further by the end of this decade. Between 1970 and 1986, the median level of education among the elderly has increased from 8.7 years to 11.8 years (11.7 years for males and 11.9 years for females). By 1990, the median number of school years completed for persons 65 and over is expected to be 11.9 years as compared to 12.6 years for all persons 25 years and over.3

3 National Council on Aging, Education for Older Adults; A Synthesis of Significant Data, 1982.

In 1986, the elderly were about 65 percent as likely to have graduated from high school (including those who graduated from college) as the entire population 25 years and over. Nearly 50 percent of the elderly population were high school graduates as compared with nearly 75 percent of the population 25 years and older.

There are significant differences in educational attainment for elderly whites and blacks. About a fourth of whites between the ages of 60 and 74 and just over four-tenths of those age 75 and over never attended high school. For blacks, 50 percent of those between the ages of 60 and 74 and 72 percent of those age 75 and over never attended high school. About 33 percent of older white Americans and 57 percent of older black Americans never went beyond the eighth grade. While 52 percent of elderly whites completed high school, only 22 percent of elderly blacks reached that level. In terms of higher education, about 10 percent of elderly whites attended 4 or more years of college, as compared with about 5 percent of elderly blacks.

The gap in educational attainment for older groups is expected to continue to narrow partly because of the educational opportunities available after World War II and partly because of our history of immigration. Today's elderly population has a much higher proportion of persons who are foreign-born than does the younger population. The elderly foreign-born have a higher rate of illiteracy and lower educational attainment than the native population.

C. HOUSING

HOUSING, WHILE AN ASSET FOR MOST OLDER PERSONS, IS A LIABILITY FOR OTHERS

Housing, while an asset for most older people, represents a serious burden for others. For older homeowners who do not have to budget for a mortgage or rental payments, or who can sell their homes at a profit, housing can be an asset. However, to many elderly persons who own older homes, the cost of utilities, real estate taxes, insurance, repair and maintenance can be prohibitive. And, for renters or owners with a mortgage, monthly payments can be a substantial burden.

(NOTE.-Unless otherwise noted, data on housing in this section is from 1980 census public use tapes and prepared by Jeanne Griffith of the Congressional Research Service.)

TABLE 5-3.-HOUSING COSTS AS A PERCENTAGE OF HOUSEHOLD INCOME, BY AGE AND SEX OF HOUSEHOLDER

Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, 1980 Census of Population and Housing, Public Use Microdata Sample, special tabulations.

Housing costs vary dramatically depending on homeownship status. For males aged 65 to 69, housing costs are 22 percent of income for renters and 21 percent for owners with a mortgage, but only 11 percent for owners without a mortgage. (Housing costs include gross rent or mortgage, real estate taxes and insurance for owners, and basic utility costs for all owners and for renters if such fees are not included in rent.)

This trend becomes stronger with increasing age. For 85-plus males, housing expenses for renters and owners with a mortgage equal 26 and 33 percent of income respectively, as compared to 15 percent for owners without a mortgage. These comparisons are similar for elderly females.

HOUSING RENTAL AND OWNERSHIP VARIES BY AGE, SEX, AND LIVING ARRANGEMENTS

Of the 17.7 million households headed by older persons in 1983, 75 percent were owner-occupied and 25 percent were rental units. The 1980 census found that 80 percent of owner-occupied elderly houses were owned free and clear. However, data from the 1980 census indicate, among the elderly, the older householders are more likely to rent rather than own, males are more likely than

females to own homes, and persons living alone are more likely to rent than are people who live with spouses.

According to results of the 1980 Annual Housing Survey, over a third (38 percent) of elderly owner-occupied households were inhabited by older men or women living alone or with nonrelatives.4 Only 33 percent of renter-occupied units were maintained by elderly persons in families; the other 66 percent were maintained mostly by elderly men or women living alone. Data from the 1980 census demonstrate that this pattern is affected by the martial status, sex, and living arrangements of the homeowner. At ages 65 to 69, for instance, 44 percent of men living alone own their homes, compared to 82 percent of men living with their wives. With increasing age, married couples and single women are less likely to own their own housing. Men who live alone, however, are slightly more likely to own their own homes if they are in the oldest age brackets than those newly retired.

THE ELDERLY ARE MOST LIKELY TO LIVE IN OLDER HOMES

Persons 65 years or older are most likely to live in older homes whether they rent or own. In 1980, 40 percent of elderly homeowners lived in housing structures built in 1939 or earlier and another 14 percent live in structures built between 1940 and 1949. By contrast, 22 percent of younger homeowners lived in units built before 1939 and another 8 percent lived in units built between 1940 and 1949. Younger renters were similar to elderly renters: 40 percent of both age groups lived in structures built in 1939 or earlier and 8 to 10 percent rented units built between 1940 and 1949.

While age of housing is not necessarily an index of physical condition, it does bear a relationship to size, functional obsolescence, and ease of maintenance. Various housing studies reveal that many older persons live in homes that are too large for current family size and need. Many elderly with physical handicaps do not have the funds or the services avaliable to adapt older, larger homes to their physical needs.

Age of housing also determines net worth. The median value in 1981 of home built in 1939 or earlier was $39,900 as compared to $79,000 for those built after April 1972.5

A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF ELDERLY PERSONS LIVE IN INADEQUATE HOUSING AND DO NOT HAVE TELEPHONES

According to the 1980 Annual Housing Survey, 10 percent of units headed by persons 65 years or older lived in housing infested with mice and rats and 30 percent lived in housing with bedrooms which lacked privacy (25 percent of elderly owners and 62 percent of elderly renters). Smaller numbers of elderly persons lived in housing with flaws such as incomplete kitchen facilities (2 percent), open cracks or holes (4 percent), and complete plumbing facilities (3 percent).

Telephones are an important link for all persons, particularly for elderly persons who live alone. Data from the 1980 census shows

that elderly persons who rent are the most likely to be without a telephone. For instance, in 1980, nearly 15 percent of the 696,000 male renters and nearly 7 percent of the 1,155,000 female renters aged 65 to 69 were without telephones. Homeowners are much less likely to be without a telephone; less than 3 percent of both male and female homeowners age 65 to 69 are without a phone.

D. VOTING

THE ELDERLY AND NEAR-ELDERLY ARE THE MOST LIKELY AGE
GROUPS TO VOTE

In 1986, over 28 million-or 16 percent-of the 178 million Americans of voting age were 65 and over. According to a survey by ABC News, 55 percent of persons 60 and over voted Democratic and 45 percent Republican in the midyear election for the House of Representatives, and 51 percent Democratic and 49 percent for the Senate. A New York Times/CBS News poll counted at 52/48 percent Democrat/Republican split for House seats.

Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, Current Population Surveys, 1981, 1983, and 1985

In the 1984 Presidential election, voters 65 and over accounted for 18 percent of all voters. Nearly 68 percent of all elderly persons voted, compared to about 60 percent of eligible voters, a 3-percent increase over the 65 percent turnout for the 1980 Presidential election. According to a Los Angeles Times poll, 60 percent of persons 60 and over voted Republican and 40 percent voted Democratic in the Presidential election. The New York Times counted a 63/36 percent Republican/Democratic split.