A new survey shows a majority of voters over 50 in Ohio and across the country have serious reservations about when – or if – they’ll be able to retire. And because of that, they’re saying the presidential candidates need to talk more about Social Security and Medicare. The poll commissioned by AARP surveyed voters in Ohio and five other states, and pollster Guy Molyneaux says overall, baby boomer voters are pessimistic.
“A large number of baby boomers today are not sure they will ever be able to retire," says Molyneaux. "Only 48% expressed some real level of confidence they will be able to retire at some point in their lives while 50% say they are either just somewhat or not at all confident they will be able to do that.”
The numbers are worse in Ohio – 50 percent believe they will retire at some point, but 64 percent think they will have to delay retirement. And two thirds also say they believe the recent economic downtown will force them to rely more on Social Security and Medicare. The survey sought to measure boomers’ concerns about what the AARP calls its “anxiety index” about prices rising faster than incomes, health expenses, financial security in retirement, and taxes.