COLUMBUS, Ohio – While older Ohioans believe there’s more good than bad news about the nation’s economy, many of them say rising costs may force them to delay retirement.
Many of the likely Ohio voters surveyed by the AARP say they are worried about their financial futures and those who are not retired already are concerned that a secure retirement will be out of reach.
“While…59 percent of Ohioans have rated the economy ‘good’ or ‘very good,’…we see a contrast in the view of Ohio’s economic situation and our 50-plus voter’s individual financial situation,” says Luke Russell, state director for advocacy for AARP Ohio.
Russell says 63 percent of those surveyed believed their income is falling behind the cost of living. Those voters say they want to see candidates for office in this election year to focus on improving their financial security.
The survey’s “Anxiety Index” shows that, across party lines, the largest number — 82 percent — of older voters are worried about increasing utility costs. Other top concerns are taxes (59 percent), costs rising faster than incomes (56 percent), health expenses (49 percent) and a lack of financial security (47 percent).
The survey also showed that 55 percent Baby Boomers who have not retired yet will postpone retirement or already have.
Almost 80 percent of this large and active voting bloc say that assisting older Ohioans and the disabled to live independently is a very or fairly important issue and will help them make voting decisions this year.
The older voters give Republican Gov. John Kasich a 15-point edge – 50-35 percent – over Democratic challenger Ed Fitzgerald, but among those who have definitely made up their minds, Kasich leads FitzGerald only 30 percent to 24 percent.
The statewide telephone survey of 801 likely voters conducted from June 27 to July 8 has a margin of error of 3.5 percentage points.