Post on 04-Aug-2020
Florida Voters Age 50+ and the 2014 Election
Key Findings from a Survey among Likely Voters Age 50/over Conducted June 2014
for
Attitudes among Likely Florida Voters Age 50+ – June/July 2014 – Hart/North Star Opinion Research for AARP
Methodology
Statewide telephone survey among 800 likely 2014 voters age 50/over (margin of error adjusted for weighting ±3.5 percentage points), conducted June 26-July 6, 2014, including:
• 763 retirees (adjusted MOE ±4.4 percentage points)
• 439 non-retirees (adjusted MOE ±5.8 percentage points)
• 400 interview oversample of Latino 50+ voters
Respondents were selected at random from a list of registered voters and were reached either on a landline or mobile phone.
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Attitudes among Likely Florida Voters Age 50+ – June/July 2014 – Hart/North Star Opinion Research for AARP
Overview
Likely voters 50+ are worried and concerned about their financial futures. Those not yet retired are feeling especially anxious.
Voters worry that their incomes are not keeping up with the cost of living, especially health costs and taxes.
Many of those not yet retired worry that a secure retirement will be out of reach. • Half say they have postponed or will postpone
retirement.
Voters 50+ are looking to elect candidates who will focus on improving their financial security.
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Attitudes among Likely Florida Voters Age 50+ – June/July 2014 – Hart/North Star Opinion Research for AARP
Overview
Governor Rick Scott holds a seven-point lead in the gubernatorial race, with an additional 13% of 50+ voters still undecided.
Voters say it is hard to get good information about the candidates, and they want candidates to tell them more about their plans for key issues like independent living and financial security.
Voters want more support for caregiving so that the elderly and people with disabilities can live independently. The majority of 50+ voters say they either are providing, or have provided, unpaid care, representing an important emerging constituency.
The majority of voters support policies that help Floridians age in their homes and communities, such as the proposed Complete Streets law.
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Attitudes among Likely Florida Voters Age 50+ – June/July 2014 – Hart/North Star Opinion Research for AARP
Profile of Likely Voters Age 50/over
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Men Women
Age 50 to 64 Age 65 to 74 Age 75/over
High school grad/less education Some college College graduate
Whites African Americans Latinos
Household income under $30K Household income $30 to $50K Household income over $50K
Democrats Republicans Other/unaffiliated
Receive Social Security benefits Health insurance through Medicare Employed (part time or full time)
Non-retirees
41% 59%
88% 9% 3%
31% 29% 39%
69% 12% 13%
18% 16% 51%
38% 44% 18%
17% 19% 80%
Retirees
46% 54%
23% 38% 39%
44% 26% 28%
80% 9% 10%
26% 20% 31%
39% 46% 15%
85% 78% 11%
Gender
Age
Education
Household Income
Party Registration
Other
Race
Attitudes among Likely Florida Voters Age 50+ – June/July 2014 – Hart/North Star Opinion Research for AARP
ECONOMIC SECURITY
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Attitudes among Likely Florida Voters Age 50+ – June/July 2014 – Hart/North Star Opinion Research for AARP
Voters 50+ see the economy as more good than bad overall.
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How would you rate the condition of the economy here in Florida these days?
FL economy is good
FL economy is bad
Very good 7%
64%
Very bad 15%
33%
All voters FL economy is good
64% 64%
69% 60%
64% 64% 63%
62% 65% 64%
64% 67% 66% 61%
FL economy is bad
32% 35%
29% 36%
32% 34% 33%
35% 32% 34%
33% 32% 30% 37%
Retirees Non-retirees
Men Women
High school grad/less Some college College graduate
Democrats Republicans Other/unaffiliated
Miami media market Sarasota media market Tampa media market Orlando media market
Attitudes among Likely Florida Voters Age 50+ – June/July 2014 – Hart/North Star Opinion Research for AARP
37% 23%
11% 16%
Strongly satisfied Somewhat satisfiedStrongly dissatisfied Somewhat dissatisfied
A fourth of non-retired voters are dissatisfied with their financial situation.
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Satisfaction with Own Financial Situation Today
71%
28%
Dissatisfied (non-retirees)
27% 28%
30% 23%
46% 17%
Men Women
Age 50 to 59 Age 60/over
Income under $50K Income over $50K
Retirees Non-retirees
76%
21%
Attitudes among Likely Florida Voters Age 50+ – June/July 2014 – Hart/North Star Opinion Research for AARP
30%
7%
A large majority say that their income is falling behind the cost of living.
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Assessment of Income vs. Cost of Living
All voters
My income is staying about even with cost
of living
My income is going up faster
than cost of living
MY INCOME IS FALLING
BEHIND THE COST OF
LIVING 59%
56% 64%
64% 63% 49%
80% 66% 48%
Retirees Non-retirees
High school grad/less Some college College graduates
Income under $30K Income $30K to $50K Income over $50K
Income Is Falling Behind
Attitudes among Likely Florida Voters Age 50+ – June/July 2014 – Hart/North Star Opinion Research for AARP
41% 42% 41% 49% 47%
53%
More hopeful and confident More worried and concerned
Voters 50+ are more worried than hopeful about achieving their economic and financial goals, especially those not yet retired.
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Looking ahead to the next five years or so, do you feel more hopeful and confident, or more worried and concerned about being able to achieve your economic and financial goals?
All voters Retirees Non-retirees
Non-retirees
46% 58%
58% 52%
43% 58% 61%
Men Women
Income under $50K Income over $50K
Democrats Republicans Other/unaffiliated
More Worried and Concerned
Attitudes among Likely Florida Voters Age 50+ – June/July 2014 – Hart/North Star Opinion Research for AARP
The Economic Anxiety Index
Voters are assigned 20 points for each of the five economic concerns about which they say they worry very or somewhat often. A minimum score of 0 reflects no economic anxiety, while a maximum score of 100 indicates a great deal of economic anxiety.
The five component concerns of the anxiety index are:
• Having to pay too much in taxes
• Income not keeping up with the cost of living
• Having health expenses they cannot afford
• Not having financial security in retirement
• Not having enough to pay for home care or a nursing home when they or their spouse get older
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Attitudes among Likely Florida Voters Age 50+ – June/July 2014 – Hart/North Star Opinion Research for AARP
Components of the Economic Anxiety Index
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41%
42%
45%
48%
51%
Proportions Who Say They Worry Very or Somewhat Often about Each Economic Concern
Retirees
44%
45%
38%
37%
33%
Non- retirees
65%
56%
58%
49%
54%
Having to pay too much in taxes
Income not keeping up with cost of living
Not having financial security in retirement
Not having enough to pay for home care or
nursing home for myself or my spouse
Having health expenses I cannot
afford
Attitudes among Likely Florida Voters Age 50+ – June/July 2014 – Hart/North Star Opinion Research for AARP
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
40
57
Economic Anxiety Index Scores
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Maximum score
Minimum score
ANXI
ETY
IND
EX
Retirees Non-retirees
Mean scores
55 58
57 56
63 46
68 49
54 57 61
60 53
Men Women
Unmarried Married
Non-college grads College graduates
Income under $50K Income over $50K
Democrats Republicans Other/unaffiliated
Caregivers/past caregivers Non-caregivers
Key Subgroups of Non-retirees Mean scores
Attitudes among Likely Florida Voters Age 50+ – June/July 2014 – Hart/North Star Opinion Research for AARP
While most retirees are satisfied with their retirement savings, two in five non-retirees are dissatisfied.
25% 30% 17% 20% 18%
24%
Strongly satisfied Somewhat satisfiedStrongly dissatisfied Somewhat dissatisfied
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Satisfaction with Amount of Money Saving/Saved for Retirement
All voters
61%
34%
Retirees
64%
30%
Non-retirees
56%
41%
Dissatisfied (non-retirees)
36% 44%
59% 30%
Men Women
Income under $50K Income over $50K
Attitudes among Likely Florida Voters Age 50+ – June/July 2014 – Hart/North Star Opinion Research for AARP
A majority of non-retirees say they have or will delay their retirement for financial reasons.
55% 56% 54% 57%
50%
63%
52%
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Proportions Saying They Have Delayed or Expect to Delay Retirement in Order to Save More Money to Live Comfortably in Retirement
Unmarried
Married
Age 50 to 59
Age 60/over
Income under $50K
All non- retirees
Income over $50K
Attitudes among Likely Florida Voters Age 50+ – June/July 2014 – Hart/North Star Opinion Research for AARP
Other Financial Concerns of Non-Retirees
23%
24%
29%
33%
35%
46%
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Proportions Who Say They Worry Very or Somewhat Often about Each
Not making enough money at my job*
Having to provide financial support to an adult child/
grandchild
Losing a job or not being able to find work*
Having to provide financial support to a parent or other
older relative
Not being able to afford college education costs
for children
Having to depend on children or other family members for
financial support * Asked only of voters who are employed
Attitudes among Likely Florida Voters Age 50+ – June/July 2014 – Hart/North Star Opinion Research for AARP
THE 2014 ELECTION
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Attitudes among Likely Florida Voters Age 50+ – June/July 2014 – Hart/North Star Opinion Research for AARP
Voters 50+ are disappointed with Washington, giving President Obama low approval scores.
36%
53%
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Job Approval of President Obama
Approve
Disapprove
All voters
Attitudes among Likely Florida Voters Age 50+ – June/July 2014 – Hart/North Star Opinion Research for AARP
In the gubernatorial election, Rick Scott holds the lead with voters 50+, but a large minority remain unsure about their vote.
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Trial Heat for Florida Governor
Undecided Charlie Crist
13%
Rick Scott
Definitely vote for
26%
Definitely vote for
32%
Charlie Crist
36% 42%
44% 42%
38% 41% 39%
34% 71% 42%
71% 14% 35%
47% 40%
All voters
Men Women
Unmarried women Married women
Age 50 to 64 Age 65 to 74 Age 75/over
Whites African Americans Latinos
Democrats Republicans Other
Rick Scott
54% 42%
39% 44%
46% 50% 48%
54% 7% 42%
16% 73% 50%
Attitudes among Likely Florida Voters Age 50+ – June/July 2014 – Hart/North Star Opinion Research for AARP
Two in five voters say it is hard to find objective and reliable information about the record and positions of candidates running for office this November.
23% 22% 18% 19%
Very easy Somewhat easyVery hard Somewhat hard
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Is it easy or hard to find objective and reliable information about the record and positions of candidates running for office this November?
All voters
47% 42%
Undecided in Gubernatorial Race
39% 42%
Attitudes among Likely Florida Voters Age 50+ – June/July 2014 – Hart/North Star Opinion Research for AARP
The candidates need to do more to explain their positions on key voting issues for voters 50+.
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
64%
68%
71%
71%
73%
16%
16%
14%
7%
12%
20%
16%
15%
22%
15%
Need to do more Not sure Have done enough
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FL Governor Candidates’ Efforts to Explain their Positions on Selected Issues
Helping older people and the disabled live
independently
Jobs and the economy
Affordable utilities
Supporting family caregivers
Helping people save for retirement
Attitudes among Likely Florida Voters Age 50+ – June/July 2014 – Hart/North Star Opinion Research for AARP
Voters are looking for candidates who will address their economic anxiety.
7%
22
How important is this issue in helping you make your voting decisions this year?
Very/fairly important
Less/not important
Very important
82%
91%
Jobs and the economy
Very Important Issue in my Vote Decisions
Retirees Non-retirees
Men Women
Unmarried women Married women
High school/less Some college College grads
Income under $30K Income $30K to $50K Income over $50K
79% 87%
79% 84%
93% 78%
85% 84% 76%
89% 87% 78%
Whites African Americans Latinos
Undecided voters
80% 95% 85%
81%
All voters
Attitudes among Likely Florida Voters Age 50+ – June/July 2014 – Hart/North Star Opinion Research for AARP
The majority of 50+ voters support a proposal to expand Medicaid in the state.
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Support Oppose
Support strongly
44%
57%
There is a proposal in the state legislature to expand Medicaid coverage in Florida to individuals who don't have health insurance and who earn up to $16,000 a year. Do you support or oppose this proposal to expand Medicaid health coverage?
Not Sure
Oppose strongly
21%
17% 26%
Support
54% 61% 59%
62% 54% 53%
53% 84% 69%
74% 55% 44%
Men Unmarried women Married women
Age 50 to 64 Age 65 to 74 Age 75/over
Whites African Americans Latinos
Democrats Independents Republicans
Oppose
29% 22% 23%
24% 27% 26%
28% 6%
18%
13% 22% 37%
Attitudes among Likely Florida Voters Age 50+ – June/July 2014 – Hart/North Star Opinion Research for AARP
CAREGIVING
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Attitudes among Likely Florida Voters Age 50+ – June/July 2014 – Hart/North Star Opinion Research for AARP
73%
19%
8%
Three in four voters 50+ prefer at-home care over other options for themselves/family.
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If a family member or I need help when basic tasks of life become difficult due to aging or illness, I would prefer to receive that help:
AT HOME WITH
CAREGIVER ASSISTANCE
Not sure
Other*
*15% assisted living facility, 4% nursing home
Attitudes among Likely Florida Voters Age 50+ – June/July 2014 – Hart/North Star Opinion Research for AARP
Many voters 50+ have at some point been a caregiver* to a family member, or expect to be in the future.
20%
34% 22%
21%
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Current caregivers
Likely to be caregiver in
future
Not likely to be caregiver in future
All voters
* Caregiver is defined as “someone who provides unpaid care for an adult loved one who is ill, frail, elderly, or has a physical, mental, or emotional disability. This unpaid care may include assisting with personal needs such as bathing and dressing, household chores, meals, shopping, transportation, or managing finances or medical care.”
Past caregivers
14% of voters age 50+ report that they or their spouse have received care from a family caregiver.
Attitudes among Likely Florida Voters Age 50+ – June/July 2014 – Hart/North Star Opinion Research for AARP
Caregiver Households*
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All non-retirees
Men Women
Unmarried Married
Age 50 to 59 Age 60/over
Income under $50K Income over $50K
White Hispanic African American
Non-retirees
54%
40% 63%
48% 56%
50% 61%
60% 50%
49% 57% 68%
All retirees
Men Women
Unmarried Married
Age 50 to 69 Age 70/over
Income under $40K Income over $40K
White Hispanic African American
Retirees
59%
50% 67%
68% 54%
63% 56%
67% 60%
60% 53% 59%
* Those households where unpaid care is currently being provided, or has been provided in the past
Attitudes among Likely Florida Voters Age 50+ – June/July 2014 – Hart/North Star Opinion Research for AARP
Voters 50+ want their elected officials to make availability of at-home care a priority.
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How important a priority should it be for the next Governor to support services and programs that enable Florida’s older population to continue living in their homes as they get older?
39% 45% 55%
7% 6% 4%
Extremely important priority Very important priorityNot important priority Somewhat important priority
70%
All voters
27%
73%
Caregiver household
25%
87%
Latino Voters
10%
Attitudes among Likely Florida Voters Age 50+ – June/July 2014 – Hart/North Star Opinion Research for AARP
Helping people live independently is a powerful potential issue for candidates, especially among women and caregivers.
21%
29
How important is this issue in helping you make your voting decisions this year?
Very/fairly important
Less/not important
Very important
60%
75%
Helping older people and the disabled live independently
Very Important Issue in my Vote Decisions
Men Women
Age 50 to 64 Age 65/over
High school/less Some college College grads
Income under $30K Income $30K to $50K Income over $50K
54% 64%
59% 61%
68% 66% 47%
69% 73% 48%
Whites African Americans Latinos
Undecided voters
Current caregivers Caregiver HH
57% 68% 80%
59%
66% 62%
All voters
Attitudes among Likely Florida Voters Age 50+ – June/July 2014 – Hart/North Star Opinion Research for AARP
Voters 50+ support policies that help Floridians age in their homes and communities.
Strong Support
44%
Strong Support
56%
30
Support for a Complete Streets law that would prioritize providing safe and convenient transportation options for everyone in the state, particularly those age fifty and over:
64%
19%
71%
21%
Support for a policy that would set new standards for the design, construction, and modification of new and existing housing to make these buildings more accessible for older Floridians and help them stay in their homes for as long as possible:
Support Oppose Support Oppose
Florida Voters Age 50+ And the 2014 Election
Key Findings from a Survey among Likely Voters age 50/over Conducted June 2014
for