Poverty and Social Policy of aging Investigating the Determinants of Income Poverty among Older Adults in the OECD Countries

Objectives: Income poverty is one of the most common problems of old age, it varies among older adults living in different societies. The aim of this study is to investigate the predictors of income poverty of older adults based on the data of Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries. Methods: The secondary data analysis method was used in the present study. The income poverty rate and its associated variables were extracted from 36 member of OECD countries and entered into SPSS Version 22. For data analysis, descriptive and inferential statistics, including Pearson’s correlation coefficient test and multiple linear regression analysis, were measured. Results: The results showed that in the studied countries, the mean of income poverty among older adults was higher in women (11.48±16.2), and older adults aged 75 years or above (12.57±16.1). The income poverty of older adults was significantly correlated with older adults’ share in the gross domestic product (r=-0.376, P=024), targeted pension coverage (r=-0.505, P=0.003), income sources based on public transfers (r=-0.460, P=0.005), income sources from work (r=0.697, P=0.000), mandatory pension contribution rate (r=-0.343, P=0.040), and net pension replacement rate (r=-0.424, P=0.010). The results of regression analysis also revealed that variables of income sources from work and targeted pension coverage explained 66% of variance in income poverty among older adults. Discussion: It is important to pay attention to the variables of age and gender of older people to overcome economic vulnerability in social policies. It is also necessary to consider role of the share of public transfers and basic old-age pension to reduce older adults’ poverty. The lessons to be learned of OECD countries in this research are useful for the social rehabilitation of older adults in Iran.