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Many retirees are leaving billions in benefits on the table

A study shows millions of seniors are eligible for programs they aren’t using

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By:
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Mark Huffman
Reporter

Mark Huffman has covered consumer issues since 2004, with a special focus on protecting and empowering older adults. A former news correspondent for the Associated Press Radio Network, Westwood One, and ConsumerAffairs, Mark brings decades of journalistic experience to RetirementLiving.com. He is passionate about giving consumers a voice and helping them make informed decisions. Mark has also created educational content, including Senior Scam Alert, a video resource designed to help seniors recognize and avoid fraud. He holds a B.A. from the University of Kentucky and lives with his family in Richmond, Virginia.

Updated:

key insights:

  • More than nine million older Americans are eligible for government assistance programs but are not enrolled, leaving an estimated $58 billion in benefits unclaimed.
  • Participation rates remain low for SNAP, Supplemental Security Income, and Medicare Savings Programs, despite rising financial pressures on seniors.
  • Advocates say lack of awareness, eligibility misconceptions, and application barriers are preventing millions from accessing help with food, healthcare, and other essential expenses.

More than nine million older Americans are missing out on an estimated $58 billion in government benefits that could help cover basic living expenses, according to recent data from the National Council on Aging (NCOA). 

The findings come from NCOA’s updated Benefits Participation Map, developed in partnership with the Urban Institute, which tracks enrollment in three major assistance programs: the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs). The analysis found that millions of eligible adults age 65 and older are not receiving benefits designed to help pay for food, healthcare, and other necessities.

According to the report, only 38% of eligible older adults participated in SNAP in 2023, while 40% received SSI benefits and 49% were enrolled in Medicare Savings Programs. As a result, an estimated 9.1 million eligible seniors were not receiving SNAP benefits, 3.6 million were not receiving SSI, and 6.6 million were not enrolled in MSPs.

More than $800 a month

NCOA estimates the average monthly value of these benefits at $188 for SNAP, $552 for SSI, and approximately $165 for Medicare Savings Programs. Collectively, those unclaimed benefits totaled roughly $58 billion in 2023. 

Advocates say many seniors remain unaware that they qualify for assistance or mistakenly assume they are ineligible. Others are discouraged by complicated application processes or stigma associated with receiving public benefits. 

The enrollment gap comes as many older Americans face growing economic challenges. NCOA notes that millions of seniors struggle to afford housing, food, healthcare, and prescription medications, often forcing difficult choices between basic necessities. Recent research cited by the organization found that older adults with the lowest incomes have significantly shorter life expectancies than their higher-income peers. 

The Benefits Participation Map provides estimates at the national, state, and local levels, allowing policymakers, advocates, and service providers to identify areas where eligible seniors may be underserved. NCOA is encouraging older adults and their families to review available assistance programs and determine whether they qualify for benefits.

“Behind every data point is an older adult forced to make impossible choices” between essentials such as groceries, rent, and medical care, NCOA President and CEO Ramsey Alwin said in announcing the findings.