Floridians age 45 and older are increasingly anxious about their financial security, health care access and housing stability, according to AARP Florida’s newly released Vital Voices survey. The statewide report — conducted every three years to identify the top issues facing older residents — paints a picture of deepening economic strain and persistent uncertainty over the cost of living and future government support programs.
“This survey makes it clear: Floridians aged 45 and older are deeply concerned about their financial future,” said Jeff Johnson, AARP Florida State Director. “From the rising cost of living to the future of Social Security and Medicare, the issues that are vital to older adults are grounded in economic security and peace of mind. AARP Florida will continue fighting to ensure these priorities are protected — because Floridians deserve to age with dignity, stability and the financial security they’ve earned.”
Nearly all respondents — 93% — said that having adequate Social Security benefits and enough income to retire are “extremely” or “very important” concerns. Three out of four said they are worried about the future of the Social Security program and whether it will be able to continue paying full benefits. Those fears come as Florida’s 65-and-older population continues to grow faster than nearly any other age group in the state. Roughly one in five Floridians — more than 5 million people — currently receive Social Security benefits, and almost half of them rely on those payments for at least half of their income.
Health care access remains another source of unease. Respondents cited continuing anxiety over the affordability of prescription drugs and the long-term stability of Medicare, both of which they view as essential to maintaining health and independence in later life. But those concerns are just one part of a wider financial picture defined by inflation and higher costs across the board. Older Floridians reported growing strain from rising utility bills, transportation expenses and especially housing costs — including property taxes, insurance premiums and rent. In a state where homeowners’ insurance averages more than $4,000 annually in many areas, affordability is a daily worry for those living on fixed incomes.
The survey also underscores how uniquely vulnerable Florida’s older residents are to natural disasters. While most respondents — 73% — said they have an emergency plan in place, confidence in their ability to recover after a storm was low. Only one in four said they felt “very confident” they could bounce back financially after a hurricane, while more than a third said they had little or no confidence. Insurance deductibles amplify that uncertainty: 80% of insured homeowners reported having a hurricane deductible before coverage begins, and nearly half said they were “extremely” or “very concerned” about being able to afford it. Among those without insurance, nearly three in four said the cost was simply out of reach.
These overlapping pressures — high costs, fragile health security and climate risk — are shaping AARP Florida’s policy direction heading into the 2026 Legislative Session. The organization’s priorities center on protecting Social Security and Medicare, strengthening family caregiving support, and advancing measures to keep communities livable for older adults. AARP says those efforts are not just about comfort but about ensuring Floridians can age safely, independently and with financial peace of mind.
“The issues we’re hearing about aren’t abstract,” Johnson said. “They’re about real people who’ve worked their whole lives and just want to know they’ll be OK in the years ahead.”
The full 2025 Vital Voices survey can be viewed on AARP Florida’s website.
