Public pensions are a lifeline for black and female retirees: Public pension benefits of people age 65 and older by family income, race and ethnicity, education, gender, and marital status, 2014
| Characteristics | Percent with benefits (bottom axis) | Median of those with benefits (top axis) |
|---|---|---|
| All | 12% | $16,800 |
| 1st (bottom) quintile | 2% | $4,272 |
| 2nd (lower-middle) quintile | 7% | $9,300 |
| 3rd (middle) quintile | 13% | $12,000 |
| 4th (upper-middle) quintile | 17% | $21,600 |
| 5th (top) quintile | 21% | $26,976 |
| Hispanic | 6% | $18,000 |
| Black non-Hispanic | 12% | $17,664 |
| White non-Hispanic | 13% | $16,800 |
| Less than high school | 4% | $11,184 |
| High school diploma/GED | 9% | $12,000 |
| Some college | 12% | $15,000 |
| Bachelor’s degree or more | 21% | $23,400 |
| Unmarried women | 13% | $12,300 |
| Unmarried men | 13% | $21,600 |
| Married women | 10% | $13,188 |
| Married men | 13% | $22,740 |
Source: EPI analysis of U.S. Census Bureau's Current Population Survey Annual Social and Economic Supplement microdata