There are more than 11 million adults aged 60 and older alive today who have served in the military, representing over 15% of the 60+ population. It is important to learn more about this population to identify how they are faring during retirement and to identify their needs.

To pursue this goal, NCOA and the Leading Age LTSS Center @ Umass Boston analyzed data from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) to learn about the health and economic characteristics of the older veteran population.

Our analysis reveals two key findings:

• First, older veterans have higher incomes, yet they have less of a financial safety net in terms of savings and home equity.
• Second, older veterans are in worse health than civilians in the same age group.

Veterans benefits are likely critical to maintaining some degree of economic security among older veterans.  It is critical that all veterans – including the oldest and most vulnerable – get connected with the benefits they need to have their basic needs met.