Question 1

According to the theory of cumulative disadvantage, inequality begins with those who have greater resources and more opportunities to _____ additional resources.

Accepted Answer

The theory of cumulative disadvantage suggests that those who have greater resources and opportunities to acquire additional resources will continue to accumulate advantages, leading to increasing inequality over time. Therefore, the best choice is C, acquire.

Question 2

All of the following are advantages of the Retirement Equity Act of 1984 except that:

Accepted Answer

Survivor's benefits can indeed be waived under certain conditions, such as with the consent of the spouse, making option C incorrect as it states that under no terms can survivor's benefits be waived.

Question 3

Which of the following countries has credited a mother or a father with 75 percent of average earnings for one year for each child raised?

Accepted Answer

Germany has a policy where a parent is credited with 75 percent of average earnings for one year for each child raised, which is part of their pension system to support parents.

Question 4

Gender inequality in old age, especially economic resources, can be attributed to:

Accepted Answer

The answer of Gender inequality in old age, especially economic...

Question 5

Data have indicated that women earn lower wages than men. In 2009, women aged from 25 to 34 earned _____ percent as much as men.

Accepted Answer

In 2009, women aged from 25 to 34 earned 88 percent as much as men, reflecting the gender wage gap prevalent during that time.

Question 6

Among older men and women, regardless of their ethnic group, women are less likely to receive income from:

Accepted Answer

Women are less likely to receive income from pensions, according to research on gender differences in retirement income. They also typically have lower levels of accumulated assets and investments, which may include stocks. However, Social Security benefits are more evenly distributed between men and women, although women may have lower average benefit levels due to factors such as lower lifetime earnings and shorter work histories.

Question 7

In which European country are there virtually no poor elderly people?

Accepted Answer

Sweden is known for having one of the lowest rates of elderly poverty in Europe. This is due to their strong welfare system, which provides a comprehensive safety net for its citizens. The system includes universal healthcare, generous pensions, and high-quality elderly care services. As a result, elderly people in Sweden are less likely to experience poverty and have access to the support they need to live independently and maintain a good quality of life.

Question 8

Identify an accurate statement about spouse and widow's benefits.

Accepted Answer

A surviving spouse of a deceased worker is eligible for a reduced benefit at age 60.

Question 9

Pension-splitting refers to:

Accepted Answer

Pension-splitting often occurs during a divorce, where the pension is considered a marital asset and may be divided between the spouses as part of the divorce decree.

Question 10

Inequality in old age is not a random pattern but a consistent one. A person's _____ is a major factor in her/his income security in old age.

Accepted Answer

Work history, including factors such as income level, job stability, and access to retirement savings plans, has a significant impact on a person's income security in old age. Assets and inheritance can also play a role, but they are not necessarily available to everyone, and pension benefits may not be universal or equally accessible to all workers.

Question 11

One recommendation to achieve gender equality in Social Security benefits is to take into account the differences between men and women and utilize measures to compensate the disadvantaged gender. This is referred to as:

Accepted Answer

The answer of One recommendation to achieve gender equality in...

Question 12

The Hispanic/Latino group with the lowest rates of labor force participation and lowest level of education is:

Accepted Answer

According to data from the U.S. Census Bureau, Puerto Ricans have the lowest rates of labor force participation and the lowest level of educational attainment among the Hispanic/Latino groups. Only 62% of Puerto Ricans participate in the labor force, and only 18% have a bachelor's degree or higher.

Question 13

With respect to Social Security, people who receive the highest lifetime earnings receive the _____ benefits.

Accepted Answer

The answer is highest because Social Security benefits are based on lifetime earnings. The higher the lifetime earnings, the higher the benefits received.

Question 14

Although younger women in the United States are working more continuously than did women of older generations, it is estimated that by 2030, only _____ percent will have contributed the full 35 years to Social Security.

Accepted Answer

According to the National Institute on Retirement Security, it is estimated that by 2030, only 40 percent of younger women in the United States will have contributed the full 35 years to Social Security, despite working more continuously than previous generations.

Question 15

Because of a lack of housing wealth, most older African Americans have less income security for their old age, and an emergency can deplete their resources. Such unequal distribution of wealth perpetuates:

Accepted Answer

The unequal distribution of wealth, particularly in housing, for African Americans perpetuates cumulative disadvantage, in which previous disadvantages continue to have negative effects over time. This can lead to diminished income security and vulnerability to emergencies. While classism and racism may also play a role, cumulative disadvantage is the most closely related concept to the situation described. Powerlessness is not as directly related.

Question 16

The concept of "social class" includes all of the following dimensions except:

Accepted Answer

The concept of social class includes income, prestige, and power as important dimensions, but cumulative wealth is not always considered a defining feature of social class. While wealth may be related to social class, it is not the only determining factor, as other aspects such as education, occupation, and cultural capital may also shape social class status.

Question 17

Older adults have numerous sources of income. The largest source of ethnic/racial disparity is income from:

Accepted Answer

The answer of Older adults have numerous sources of income....

Question 18

_____ are most likely to live in deep poverty among the minority groups in the United States.

Accepted Answer

According to research, Black Americans are more likely to experience deep poverty, which is defined as living at 50% or less of the poverty line, compared to other minority groups in the United States. Factors that contribute to this include systemic racism, discrimination, and limited access to education and job opportunities.

Question 19

In the context of Social Security benefits, which of the following statements is true about replacement rate?

Accepted Answer

Replacement rate in the context of Social Security benefits refers to the percentage of a worker's pre-retirement income that is replaced by their Social Security benefits after retirement. The system is designed to be progressive, meaning it provides a higher replacement rate for lower-income workers compared to higher-income workers. This inherently favors households with a single earner, as their combined income is typically lower than that of households with two earners, leading to a higher replacement rate for the single earner's income.

Question 20

_____ as a group have higher income than others classified as Hispanic in the United States.

Accepted Answer

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Cubans have the highest median household income among Hispanic groups in the United States. In 2019, the median household income for Cuban Americans was $72,000, while Mexicans, Puerto Ricans, and Colombians had median household incomes of $56,000, $41,000, and $59,000, respectively.

Quiz 15: Poverty and Inequality