Changes in monetary income for people aged seventy and over in Taiwan

We analyzed the changes in, and sources of, income for the elderly from 1989 to 1999 using data from The Survey of the Health and Living Status of the Elderly in Taiwan (Bureau of Health Promotion, 2009). Monthly monetary income was higher in 1999 than 1989, and was higher for males than females. Approximately half of the females stated that money from private income was their main source of income and their income from employment, savings, and investments was lower than that of males. The number of elderly whose main source of income was a government allowance, in the form of social security, increased in the 10-year period with twice as many females being dependent on this source of income as males. The results suggest that there is a connection between low monetary income and so-called affection income as the main source for the elderly. Those receiving financial support from sources including private income and other relatives, had much lower monetary income than those who relied on employment, retirement pension, or savings.