This line chart shows the change in receipt of Social Security, asset income, pensions, earnings, and public assistance from 1962 to 2001.
In 1962, 69% of the aged received Social Security. This percentage increased sharply over the next five years, reaching 86% in 1967. It then continued to increase slightly over the next ten years. The percentage receiving Social Security varied little between 1978 and 2001, ranging from 90 to 92.
Fifty-four percent had asset income in 1962. That percentage declined to a low of 49 in 1971, rose to a high of 69 in 1990, and then steadily declined to 58 in 2001.
The percentage receiving pensions rose steadily from 18 in 1962 to a high of 45 in 1992, and declined slightly to 40 in 2001.
The percentage with earnings starts at 36 in 1962, drops sharply to 27 in 1967, rises to 31 in 1971, and then drops to 22 in 1982. Between 1982 and 2001, the percentage receiving earnings has ranged between 20 and 22.
Fourteen percent received public assistance in 1962. That percentage drops fairly steadily to 10 in 1980, and continues to further decline to 5 in 2001.
