Laura Olivas
Emma Echols, 68, lives off $1,056 a month in Social Security and a part-time bus driver job in Alabama. She said she may never retire, but she's not too worried.
Echols has worked since she was 12, working as a chef, a convenience store general manager, and a bus driver. Throughout her life, she's rarely been financially stable, though she's kept bills down by living frugally and giving to others when she's able.
Though it's unlikely she can step away from work anytime soon, she's stayed active in her community to help others in worse situations than her. Still, she feels people like herself should get more retirement benefits and respect.
"I've always worked for what I needed or wanted, with no public or government assistance, but people who have not worked have very nice housing," Echols said. "Our world is confused. They reward the ones who will do nothing, who do not pay their bills on time, and not those who are school teachers who gave the system 50 years of their lives. I know teachers who knew exactly how many times a month they could wash their clothes to maintain their electric bills."
Millions of Americans at or approaching the typical retirement age of 65 lack the savings to quit working. Dozens of older Americans have told Business Insider this year they can't retire, as some estimates say retirees need well above a million dollars to retire comfortably. This is particularly out of reach for the more than half of Americans over 65 making under $30,000 a year, according to the Census Bureau's Current Population Survey.
While Echols said she wouldn't know what to do with over $1 million, getting more than $1,000 a month from the government would go a long way.
Echols got her first job at 12 as a babysitter, and at 14, she served soda and popcorn at a drive-in theater. Almost six decades later, she hasn't stopped working since.
"I always wanted to earn my own money," Echols said. "I always wanted to work, and at the age of 14, someone started my Social Security records for me. I waited 45 years to get that paycheck."
She worked as a chef at a seafood restaurant for over a decade, putting her in a "very good income bracket." At 27, she enrolled in community college but didn't graduate.
She switched to another company for nine years making minimum wage — $3.35 at the time — then got a new position as a convenience store assistant manager paying over $11 an hour, though she was later laid off. She acknowledges she — and others in her generation — should have been more informed about saving and investing strategies.
Over two decades ago, she got a job as a bus driver making about $9 an hour, though this increased over the years to about $26 an hour. She also gets health benefits and is building a pension.
"Before my rate went up, I didn't even make enough money to be able to pay $500 to $600 a month in rent," Echols said. "I have good income at my part time position where I have good benefits, but I understand the struggle for all senior citizens. For federal government housing, they do not want you to have more than $1,500 a month in income to qualify for one of their houses or apartments."
Her monthly expenses are $500 for rent with an extra water and garbage bill, $95 for phone and internet, almost $500 for her car payment, $89 a month on car and renters insurance, and about $300 for transportation expenses. She rarely eats out, and she tries to avoid spending on meat to cut back on costs. She's saving up for new tires and car maintenance fees that can cost $400.
"I live frugally, and I purchase only what I need," she said. "I've always been a clearance rack shopper, even some thrifting."
She rarely spends on entertainment, occasionally seeing a $5 movie near her home. She tries to stay healthy to avoid added medical costs, and she's kept her furniture and clothes purchases minimal.
She's gearing up to move from her duplex in the suburbs to an efficiency apartment in her city to reduce her transportation and car insurance expenses, as she can walk to work.
Her Social Security is $1,056 a month, a 25% reduction from her potential full benefit because she accepted payments early. She said it helps her cover rent and some other expenses, though she said she must work to supplement other costs and plan for her future. She has very little debt.
"People my age, we worked during a time when incomes were low, and I know people whose Social Security is $1,400, $1,500 a month, and it's not enough for them to live," Echols said. "I don't see myself being able to retire, but I'm grateful and healthy."
She said two of her sisters are in nursing homes, while her other two sisters have health issues. She gives gifts to family members when she can and tries to help them financially if she has money left over.
Echols also said some of her friends are dealing with similar situations, as many live on a fixed income and are struggling to pay all their bills.
She said religion has empowered her to continue giving what she has to help others in even worse situations, as she believes she will be repaid for her efforts and will never be homeless. If she had more money, she said she would use it to start a program to assist other women in difficult financial situations.
"I've never been a worrier, because in spite of what our world looks like, what's going on in the world, I truly believe that God has the final say," Echols said.
Are you worried about retirement? Reach out to this reporter at nsheidlower@businessinsider.com.
