Please check here for periodic online surveys. (All answers are confidential and for the exclusive use of Council of Seniors.)

2005 Survey Results

The Council of Seniors' 2005 Census of Senior Citizens

Age Group

2% Under 65
98% Over 65
0% No Answer

Marital Status

41% Married
13% Single
44% Widow/Widower
3% No Answer

Employment

84% Retired
1% Unemployed
8% Part-time
4% Full-time
2% Homemaker
1% No Answer

Internet Use

73% Never Use
15% Occasionally
9% Regularly
3% No Answer

Are you happy with the job the President is doing?

64% Yes
15% No
21% No Opinion

Are you happy with the job the Congress is doing?

12% Yes
65% No
23% No Opinion

Do you agree with those who feel higher taxes are needed?

6% Yes
88% No
6% No Opinion

Party membership (if any):

69% Republican
10% Democrat
14% Independent
7% Other

Which of the following should be a top priority in this year?

14% Cutting taxes for Senior Citizens
13% Cutting Medicare costs
16% Increasing Social Security Benefits
28% Balancing the budget
2% None of the above
54% All of the above

Should more be done to provide Senior Citizens with affordable healthcare?

77% Yes
8% No
15% Undecided

Should the "Death Tax” be permanently repealed?

92% Yes
3% No
5% Undecided

Should the 1993 Clinton tax increase on Social Security Benefits be repealed?

85% Yes
8% No
7% Undecided

Should more be done in Washington to protect your financial privacy?

78% Yes
3% No
19% Undecided

Should more be done to protect the privacy of your medical records?

80% Yes
8% No
12% Undecided

Should illegal aliens be allowed to collect Social Security benefits?

3% Yes
94% No
3% Undecided

Should illegal aliens who return to Mexico get Social Security benefits?

2% Yes
93% No
5% Undecided

Should the U.S. grant amnesty to illegal aliens?

2% Yes
83% No
15% Undecided

Should the U.S. grant amnesty to illegal aliens?

2% Yes
83% No
15% Undecided

Should Medicare benefits be means tested?

30% Yes
31% No
39% Undecided

Should Medicare cover nursing home costs?

54% Yes
17% No
29% Undecided

Do you feel the new Prescription Drug Plan will help you?

20% Yes
54% No
29% Undecided

Social Security is a contract between the government and the American people. Do you feel the benefits you currently receive live up to that contract?

36% Yes
47% No
17% Undecided

Do you feel the current COLA increase on Social Security benefits keeps up with your annual increase in living expenses?

8% Yes
80% No
12% Undecided

Should the eligibility age to receive Social Security benefits be raised?

18% Yes
50% No
32% Undecided

Which of the following News and Entertainment publications do you regularly read? (Please check all that apply.)

8% Arthritis Today
37% AARP-The Magazine
6% National Enquirer
7% Bible Review
3% Entertainment Weekly
6% Retirement Life
3% Golf Digest
6% Weekly World News
10% Christianity Today
27% National Geographic
16% Family Circle
14% Time
15% TV Guide
12% Ladies Home Journal
4% Travel 50 and Beyond
1% Red Book
17% Newsweek
50% Reader’s Digest

Should Social Security continue to penalize a widow by reducing her benefits after her husband has passed away?

8% Yes
61% No