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Rita hasn't told her close friends that she receives SNAP benefits. She hates the stigma attached to receiving federal aid.
With a tight budget, the 68-year-old has to decline all of her friends' invitations to dine out. What's more, her $23 in SNAP doesn't go very far at the grocery store — maybe it covers a few packages of frozen vegetables, a carton of milk, and some chicken. She usually only eats once a day.
"I live alone and I'm inside most of the time," she said. "I'm kind of isolated."
Rita's identity was confirmed by Business Insider, but she chose to go by her first name due to privacy concerns. She lives in Pekin, Illinois, a town about three hours southwest of Chicago.
She relies on her Social Security for income — an amount that comes out to $1,680 a month, according to documents viewed by BI. Without savings, Rita struggles to afford basic necessities like housing, food, and transportation. She's not alone.
Millions of American baby boomers are reaching retirement age without the assets or savings they need to support themselves. Fifty-two percent of boomers have $250,000 or less in retirement assets, per an April report from the Retirement Income Institute. However, a 2024 Northwestern Mutual survey showed most US adults feel they need at least $1.5 million to retire comfortably.
Some older adults are leaning on their children for financial support, while others are trying to make due on Social Security and limited federal safety nets. And, with more than half of adults over 65 having an annual income of $30,000 or less, many are living close to the poverty line.
Without more financial support, Rita feels scared.
"I don't see things getting much better for me," she said.
Rita began receiving Social Security in the early 2000s due to a mental health condition that forced her to retire early. She had previously worked multiple jobs in the food, retail, and customer service industries.
Although Rita said she has Medicare, she was recently diagnosed with kidney failure. Her income and medical needs allowed her to qualify for an assistance program at her local hospital. The program waves most of her doctor and medication co-pays that Medicare doesn't cover. She wouldn't be able to see her providers otherwise, she said.
One factor helping Rita is that she owns her home. The mortgage is fully paid off and Rita pays a few hundred dollars every month for insurance. She said it's cheaper than most rent in the area, and she wouldn't be able to afford the house if she hadn't won it in a previous divorce settlement.
Still, groceries are especially challenging for Rita. She has to eat a specific produce-forward diet due to her kidney condition, and fruit and vegetables are expensive right now. Her SNAP benefits aren't enough to cover a full grocery trip and they don't cover household or personal hygiene items like toilet paper, dish soap, or toothpaste.
Most months, Rita said she spends over $200 out-of-pocket on food. She's also had to use her credit card to afford basic expenses and is now several thousand dollars in debt.
"I'm not begging for more," Rita added. "But recognize that when I pull out my SNAP link card in the store and you roll your eyes, I want to die."
Rita said she will occasionally visit food pantries, but sometimes the food is spoiled or expired. She also can't eat most of the items available — like white bread, peanut butter, cereal, and Hamburger Helper — because of her health.
On her limited income, Rita said she can feel lonely. She doesn't see her friends often and doesn't have the money to travel outside Pekin. While she has a car, she can rarely afford filling up the gas tank.
Rita said she's "pretty savvy" when it comes to seeking out resources. While she's grateful for the help she gets through SNAP and the hospital program, she said there isn't much help for older adults. She said it's much easier for families with young children to benefit from government assistance programs.
"Just $100 more a month would make such a difference," she said.
Are you living paycheck to paycheck on Social Security? Have you chosen to take Social Security early or delay benefits? If so, reach out to this reporter at allisonkelly@businessinsider.com.
