Addressing the Myth of the Successful Minority

To address the needs of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs), the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) commissioned three reports on AAPI elderly. 

"Caregiving Among AAPIs 50+" found that higher than any other racial or ethnic group, 42% of AAPIs believe that caring for parents is expected of them. 

"Are AAPIs Financially Secure?" found that AAPIs 65+ are in dire financial straits.  Relative to their American counterparts, AAPIs are less likely to have pensions, social security, health insurance and retirement savings.  For example, Hmong, Marshallese, Korean, Cambodian, Bhutanese, Vietnamese, Chinese, Laotian and Samoans 65+ have median household incomes lower than the U.S. average for 65+.  Sixty-three percent of Bhutanese, 30% of Marshellese, 22% of Hmong, 22% of Tongan, 20% of Korean, 19% of Cambodian, 18% of Burmese, 18% of Chinese, 17% of Laotian, 16% of Vietnamese, 14% of Bangladeshi, 13% of Taiwanese, 12% of Samoan, 11% of Sri Lankan, 10% of Pakistani and 10% of Indonesians live below the 65+ U.S. poverty level of 9.5%.   Across AAPI ethnicities, Social Security Income is below $10,893, the average for the 65+ U.S. population. 

"The Health and Healthcare of of AAPIs Age 50+" found that 14% of AAPIs age 50+ lack health insurance, compared to the U.S. total of 9% for persons 50+.  Twenty percent of AAPIs aged 50-64 are uninsured compared to 15% for the total U.S. population.  Six percent of AAPIs 65+ are uninsured, versus 1% for the U.S. population 65+. 

A significant proportion of immigrant AAPIs are ineligible for Medicare.  High out-of-pocket costs make it difficult for poor AAPI elderly to access health.  Poverty, culture, language and immigration status affect health outcomes.  While the Affordable Care Act addresses inequities in health access among persons 0-64, it is important to design policies that address disparities among AAPIs 65+.