Publications

Unlike most other CPS-sourced publications, the Social Security Administration uses
the concept of “aged units,” not households, families, or unrelated individuals. An
aged unit is either a married couple living together (at least one of whom is aged 55+)
or a nonmarried person aged 55+. A nonmarried person is one who is unmarried
(widowed, divorced, or never married), separated, or married but living apart from
their spouse (for example, someone whose spouse resides in a nursing home). This
aged unit definition includes the aged population whether or not they live with other
relatives. For the purposes of this chapter, the authors have further concentrated on
the elderly aged unit (those aged units where at least one person is aged 65+). This is
a broader definition than that used with many other CPS-sourced publications that
classify someone aged 65+ living with a younger relative, who is considered the house-
holder, as a “family under 65.”