Assets, Savings, Social Security: New ASHA Report Sheds Light On Senior Living Residents’ Financial Profiles

Most senior living residents pay for their stay in a community through social security, pensions, assets and savings.

That’s according to a new report from the American Seniors Housing Association (ASHA) and ProMatura, which surveyed 1,042 residents across 42 communities managed by 11 operators. The new research builds on a 2011 study from ASHA, the National Investment Center for Seniors Housing and Care (NIC), Argentum and Boston College.

While it’s no secret that many senior living residents rely on social security, assets, pensions and savings to make ends meet, the report lends data to the typical financial profiles of senior living residents.

Social Security benefits, pensions, retirement savings distributions and investment income are the primary ways that residents pay for independent living and assisted living housing and services, according to the report. Nearly all residents – 96% of independent living residents and 97% assisted living residents – received Social Security payments, with average monthly checks totaling $2,348 and $2,382, respectively.

Less than two-thirds of residents, 61%, in independent living received an average monthly income exceeding $3,500 and 64% of assisted living respondents reported similar amounts.

Most senior living residents pay for their move-ins at least partly through home equity. Indeed, about 90% of independent living residents and 91% of assisted living residents lived in their own private homes before moving into senior living and not in another congregate living setting.

Overall net worth “varied widely,” with roughly one-third of independent living residents reporting an excess of $750,000 and 13% indicating having more than $1 million. About 18% of assisted living residents had a net worth above $1 million.

The report also found residents have to supplement their income from other sources, as average independent living monthly fees exceed residents’ monthly incomes by 116% and assisted living exceeds residents’ monthly incomes by 174%.

Senior living operators have raised rates to match care expenses in the last six years, and that has “led some residents to perceive reduced value in their communities, though many residents report that their perception of value has not changed,” the report’s authors wrote.

Just 8% and 9% of assisted living and independent living residents, respectively, said they will move out of their community in the next 12 months.

More than half of the survey respondents, 55%, rated cost and affordability as their highest concern while another 18% noted perceived value was a top reason to consider moving.